Taliban bombs kill 24 in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – Two bomb blasts claimed by the Taliban killed at least 24 people outside the Afghan Defense Ministry Monday.

“The group targeted the Defense Ministry with two blasts – a bomb explosion and a suicide attacker,” said Sediq Sediqi, a spokesman for Interior Ministry. “The second blast was carried out as security officials rushed to gather to the scene of the first explosion for help.”

The attack was the worst since July, when Islamic State claimed to carry out suicide bombings on a peaceful demonstration in Kabul, killing more than 80 people.

More than 90 other people were injured in Monday’s bombings, which took place during rush hour. The casualties included civilians, soldiers and police, Sediqi said. An army commander, a senior police official and two bodyguards of President Ashraf Ghani were among the dead, Zabihullah Mujahed, a Taliban spokesman, said in a Twitter post.

The recent increase in attacks come as the Taliban gains ground and strengthens its hold on territory across the country. Ghani and Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah are also embroiled in a spat that threatens a U.S.-brokered power-sharing accord between the two leaders after a disputed election two years ago.