A suicide bomber attacked a volleyball match in Patikta Province, Eastern Afghanistan Sunday, killing nine people in the audience, including children. A motorbike was used by the bomber, who placed explosives on said vehicle for it to explode in the middle of the match, reported police chief Zerawar Khan Zahid.
"Attacks in populated areas can neither be forgiven nor justified. Those harboring, funding, equipping and helping terrorists attack civilians in Afghanistan," said Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan Chief Executive, condemning the incident, according to The Los Angeles Times.
A letter of condemnation has also been issued by the international coalition in Afghanistan, Resolute Support.
"We are appalled by the insurgents' lack of concern for civilian casualties, particularly women and children," said Brian Tribus, the coalition's director of public affairs Colonel, The LA Times reported.
Some intelligence officials were also reported to be some of those who died, while 22 others were injured. Those who were critically wounded were immediately airlifted to Kabul by the Ministry of Defence helicopters, while others were brought to the civil hospital in Sharana, according to Pajhwok Afghan News.
There are currently no reports of claims of responsibility for the bombing.
The incident follows a year after 50 people were killed in an attack that took place on the same province.
Afghan security has been fighting against the Taliban with very limited support for almost a year now since the pullout of most of the foreign troops from the country, according to Reuters.
