Kabul, Afghanistan – At least 12 people died and 38 others were wounded in suicide bomber attack in the eastern city of Jalalabad on Monday. The suicide bomber struck a bus of army recruits in eastern Afghanistan, officials confirmed.

The attack took place in a crowded area in Surkhrod district in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province. Dawlat Waziri, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident and deaths of the recruits who were being transferred from Jalalabad to Kabul and and the attacker who struck the bus while riding a motorized tricycle. Waziri said the number was 26.

Photo credit: Getty Images / New York Times
The suicide bomber struck a bus of army recruits in eastern Afghanistan, officials confirmed. Photo credit: Getty Images / New York Times

Twelve bodies were taken to the main regional hospital in Jalalabad city, located 77.5 miles from the capital Kabul. Ahsanullah Shinwari, the head of the hospital confirm 38 people were wounded, most of them in critical condition.

The attack came just a few hours after another deadly bombing in Kabul, where such bombing attacks regularly take place. The attack on Monday morning left, at least, two dead people and seven more wounded after a magnetic bomb exploded on an Education Ministry commuter bus carrying Education Ministry employees to work. No group has taken responsibility for the attacks yet.

U.S. embassy warns of more possible attacks

The U.S. embassy in Afghanistan issued an emergency warning to U.S. citizens on Monday. The report said the embassy had received reports that insurgents are planning to attack the Star Hotel in Kabul.

“In response to this potential threat, the U.S. Embassy Kabul is advising American citizens to avoid the Star Hotel and to remain vigilant when visiting hotels in Kabul, especially during large gatherings,” the embassy posted on its Twitter account.

Source: New York Times