Kabul twin blasts: Militants attacking media shows they are 'weakened', says Pentagon chief Jim Mattis
Jim Mattis
While interacting with the media on Monday, Mattis was asked about the attack, to which he responded by saying, 'This is the normal stuff by people who cannot win at the ballot box, so they turn to bombs'
Reacting to the Monday's Kabul twin blasts, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said that militants who attacked media are weakened and just trying to get more media coverage in order to undermine the electoral process ahead of the upcoming elections.
While interacting with the media on Monday, Mattis was asked about the attack, to which he responded by saying, "This is the normal stuff by people who cannot win at the ballot box, so they turn to bombs," AFP reported.
"They need an international media to basically broadcast this going on, so they can undercut through those kinds of attacks, what is what has obviously set them on their back foot diplomatically and militarily," Mattis added.
Number of journalist and students were killed on Monday after twin explosion that took place in Kabul, Afghanistan.
At least 29 people were killed and over 40 were wounded. Among the deads 9 were journalists.
The first explosion took place in the Shashdarak area near Afghanistan's spy agency's office. Another explosion followed outside the headquarters of the ministry of urban development and housing.
One of the AFP's chief photographer was also among the journalists lost their lives in the attack.
The responsibility of the attack was claimed by Islamic State later in the day.