3 Killed In Mortar Attack On Ceremony Commemorating Former Hazara Leader In Kabul

At least three people have been killed and 19 injured in an attack on a ceremony in Kabul commemorating a Hazara Afghan leader, reports the Tolo News (Kabul). 

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah was giving speech at the event on Thursday when at least 15 mortar rounds struck nearby, said the television station. 

Several other senior officials, including former president Hamid Karzai and former National Security Adviser Haneef Atmar, were also in attendance. 

At least two people were killed when mortars struck nearby homes and one person at the event was killed. 

The health ministry said that 32 people were injured in the attack, including presidential candidate Latif Pedram, reported Agence France-Presse. Former National Security Adviser Atmar said that eight of his security guards were wounded. 

The event recognized the 24th anniversary of the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, the late leader of the Hezb-e Wahdat party, who was killed by the Taliban, reported Radio Free Afghanistan. 

There were no immediate claims of responsibility. Police said they had arrested the main suspect in the attack and detained several others.