NBC News, August 3, 2013

Suicide bomber kills 8 passersby in Afghanistan near Indian Consulate

Eight passersby were killed and 25 others were seriously injured

By Atia Abawi

KABUL – A suicide bomber blew himself up, killing another suicide bomber and eight other people in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on Saturday, an official said.

Remains of a dead body are carried away from the site of a suicide attack in Jalalabad province. (Photo: Parwiz/Reuters)

Abdul Zai, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, said three suicide bombers wearing explosive vests were driving toward the Indian Consulate in the city when they were stopped by the security services.

Zai said one bomber detonated a device inside the vehicle. Two bombers died and the third was injured. The blast caused serious damage to a nearby mosque, Reuters reported, and rattled dozens of homes and shops in the area.

"Explosion in front of India's Consulate in Jalalabad. All Indians officials safe," Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said on Twitter. He also expressed thanks to Afghan security and sent condolences to the families of the civilians who lost their lives.

The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, according to Reuters.

Eight passersby were killed and 25 others were seriously injured, said Zai.

NBC News’ Tracy Jarrett and Reuters contributed to this report.

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