Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least 28 people, including civilians, have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a government office in northern Afghanistan's Kunduz province, police said today.
Abdul Qayum Ebrahimi, police chief of Iman Sahib district, said the bomber detonated his explosives at the entrance to the compound, killing many people waiting in line to get identification cards.
Mr Ebrahimi said the district police and a government office which distributes official identification papers are both located in the building which was hit by the explosion.
"Today it was very crowded," he said. "People had gathered in the front of the department to get identification cards."
He said an unknown number of people were injured.
There has been sharp slide in security in recent months in Kunduz and other northern provinces, where there are known hide-outs for the Taliban, al-Qa'ida and fighters from other militant factions, including the Haqqani network, Hizb-i-Islami and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Nato has sent more troops to the north and has been pushing harder into militant-held areas.
Earlier this month, a bomber killed the district chief of Chahar Dara in Kunduz province.
In October last year, a powerful bomb killed the governor of Kunduz, Mohammad Omar, and 19 others in a crowded mosque in neighbouring Takhar province.
Mr Omar was killed just days after he publicly warned of escalating threats from Taliban and foreign fighters across the north.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments