A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, killing at least 57 people and injuring more than 100, in the most serious attack yet on preparations for elections scheduled for October.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on a project of key importance to the credibility of President Ashraf Ghani's government, which has been under international pressure to ensure long-delayed parliamentary polls take place this year.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said a bomber on foot approached the centre where officials were issuing identity cards as part of the registration process for around 10 million voters across Afghanistan. Registration began this month.

President Ghani issued a statement condemning the attack and said it "cannot divert us from our aims or weaken this national democratic process".

A spokesman for the ministry of public health said at least 57 people were confirmed dead and 119 wounded, but the total could still rise.

The explosion destroyed cars and shattered windows in nearby buildings, leaving rubble strewn across the blood-stained street.

It was the deadliest blast in Kabul since about 100 people were killed in January by a bomb concealed in an ambulance and it came after repeated warnings that militants could try to disrupt the election process.

Tadamichi Yamamoto, the senior United Nations official in Afghanistan issued a statement condemning the attack.

"Compounding the callous disregard for the lives of civilians, the killing appears to be part of a wholly unacceptable effort by extremists to deter Afghan citizens from carrying out their constitutional right to take part in elections," he said.

After weeks of relative calm, the blast took place in Dasht-e Barchi, an area of western Kabul inhabited by many members of the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority, which has been repeatedly hit by attacks claimed by Islamic State.

"There were women, children. Everyone had come to get their identity cards," said Bashir Ahmad who had been near the blast, which occurred despite heightened security after the January attack.

According to UN&nbsp;figures, more than 750 people have been killed or maimed in suicide attacks and bombings by militant groups during the three months to March ahead of an expected start of the Taliban's usual spring offensive.

Bitter reaction

Afghanistan's international partners have insisted that the elections should be held this year before a presidential vote due in 2019, although there has been widespread scepticism that they will go ahead.

More than 7,000 voter registration centres have been set up across Afghanistan to handle about 10 million registrations in a process that has been repeatedly disrupted by technical and organisational problems.

Officials had pledged tight security to ensure the process proceeded safely. But those caught by Sunday's attack voiced frustration at what many Kabul residents see as government shortcomings in securing the capital.

"They should be keeping the country safe, if they can't, someone else should be in their place," said Sajeda, who was wounded in the blast along with three other members of her family as they lined up for their cards.

The voter registration process, designed to reduce the electoral fraud that has marred past ballots, began this month but there have already been several security incidents.

On Sunday, a roadside bomb near a registration centre in the northern city of Pul-i Khumri killed six members of a family and wounded three, although there was no indication that the incident was directly linked to the Kabul attack.

Last week, two police officers in the eastern city of Jalalabad were killed outside a voter registration centre, while a voter centre in the central province of Ghor was burned down last week and electoral officials briefly abducted.

The vote could be postponed to next year if registration of voters, many of whom do not have national identity cards, is not completed before winter sets.

Parliament is still sitting three years after its term officially expired and further delays would seriously weaken already fragile confidence in the political system.

There was an additional scare on Sunday when a NATO military convoy in Kabul accidentally hit and injured a child and triggered a protest that police dispersed by firing into the air. A NATO spokesman said the child had been taken to hospital and was in a stable condition.

The blast took place in an area of Shia Hazara minority, which has been repeatedly hit by attacks claimed by Islamic State.

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, killing at least 57 people and injuring more than 100, in the most serious attack yet on preparations for elections scheduled for October. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on a project of key importance to the credibility of President Ashraf Ghani's government, which has been under international pressure to ensure long-delayed parliamentary polls take place this year. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said a bomber on foot approached the centre where officials were issuing identity cards as part of the registration process for around 10 million voters across Afghanistan. Registration began this month. President Ghani issued a statement condemning the attack and said it "cannot divert us from our aims or weaken this national democratic process". A spokesman for the ministry of public health said at least 57 people were confirmed dead and 119 wounded, but the total could still rise. The explosion destroyed cars and shattered windows in nearby buildings, leaving rubble strewn across the blood-stained street. It was the deadliest blast in Kabul since about 100 people were killed in January by a bomb concealed in an ambulance and it came after repeated warnings that militants could try to disrupt the election process. Tadamichi Yamamoto, the senior United Nations official in Afghanistan issued a statement condemning the attack. "Compounding the callous disregard for the lives of civilians, the killing appears to be part of a wholly unacceptable effort by extremists to deter Afghan citizens from carrying out their constitutional right to take part in elections," he said. After weeks of relative calm, the blast took place in Dasht-e Barchi, an area of western Kabul inhabited by many members of the mainly Shi'ite Hazara minority, which has been repeatedly hit by attacks claimed by Islamic State. "There were women, children. Everyone had come to get their identity cards," said Bashir Ahmad who had been near the blast, which occurred despite heightened security after the January attack. According to UN figures, more than 750 people have been killed or maimed in suicide attacks and bombings by militant groups during the three months to March ahead of an expected start of the Taliban's usual spring offensive. Bitter reaction Afghanistan's international partners have insisted that the elections should be held this year before a presidential vote due in 2019, although there has been widespread scepticism that they will go ahead. More than 7,000 voter registration centres have been set up across Afghanistan to handle about 10 million registrations in a process that has been repeatedly disrupted by technical and organisational problems. Officials had pledged tight security to ensure the process proceeded safely. But those caught by Sunday's attack voiced frustration at what many Kabul residents see as government shortcomings in securing the capital. "They should be keeping the country safe, if they can't, someone else should be in their place," said Sajeda, who was wounded in the blast along with three other members of her family as they lined up for their cards. The voter registration process, designed to reduce the electoral fraud that has marred past ballots, began this month but there have already been several security incidents. On Sunday, a roadside bomb near a registration centre in the northern city of Pul-i Khumri killed six members of a family and wounded three, although there was no indication that the incident was directly linked to the Kabul attack. Last week, two police officers in the eastern city of Jalalabad were killed outside a voter registration centre, while a voter centre in the central province of Ghor was burned down last week and electoral officials briefly abducted. The vote could be postponed to next year if registration of voters, many of whom do not have national identity cards, is not completed before winter sets. Parliament is still sitting three years after its term officially expired and further delays would seriously weaken already fragile confidence in the political system. There was an additional scare on Sunday when a NATO military convoy in Kabul accidentally hit and injured a child and triggered a protest that police dispersed by firing into the air. A NATO spokesman said the child had been taken to hospital and was in a stable condition.

Kabul suicide blast: Death toll reaches 57

The resignation of NIA special court judge Ravinder Reddy, who delivered the verdict in &nbsp;Mecca Masjid blast case, has been rejected by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.&nbsp; 
 
Reddy has been asked to attend to his duties immediately, ANI reported sources as saying.&nbsp;

Nine people had died in the 2007 blast, which took place in Hyderabad.&nbsp;

10 people had been accused in the case, five of whom stood trial.&nbsp;

Reddy had acquitted all five earlier this week.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mecca-blast-verdict-asaduddin-owaisi-terms-nia-blind-deaf-131332">Asaduddin Owaisi calls NIA 'blind and deaf'</a>

Right after the verdict, he had resigned.&nbsp;

Special court judge Ravinder Reddy's resignation has been rejected by the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana High Court. He has reportedly been asked to attend to his duties immediately

The resignation of NIA special court judge Ravinder Reddy, who delivered the verdict in Mecca Masjid blast case, has been rejected by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Reddy has been asked to attend to his duties immediately, ANI reported sources as saying. Nine people had died in the 2007 blast, which took place in Hyderabad. 10 people had been accused in the case, five of whom stood trial. Reddy had acquitted all five earlier this week. Also read: Asaduddin Owaisi calls NIA 'blind and deaf' Right after the verdict, he had resigned.

Resignation of judge who delivered Mecca Masjid blast verdict rejected: Sources

A blast from explosives placed on a motorbike killed at least six people, including four children, and wounded nine other children in Herat province in western Afghanistan, a government official said.

The explosion happened near a mosque in Shindand district, said Jilani Farhad, a spokesman for Herat's governor said.

More details are awaited.&nbsp

The explosion happened near a mosque in Shindand district

A blast from explosives placed on a motorbike killed at least six people, including four children, and wounded nine other children in Herat province in western Afghanistan, a government official said. The explosion happened near a mosque in Shindand district, said Jilani Farhad, a spokesman for Herat's governor said. More details are awaited.

Afghanistan: Blast kills at least 6 in Herat province

A man in Kolkata was left critically injured after an explosion in Dum Dum Cantonment railway line on Monday morning.&nbsp;

The police and railway officials immediately rushed to the site and recovered 10 crude bombs at the spot of the&nbsp;explosion.&nbsp;

As per PTI, the bomb exploded when Basudeb Biswas (28), a rag picker, tried to open a metallic container which he found near a rail track between Dum Dum Cantonment and Dum Dum Junction stations. Superintendent of Railway Police (SRP), Asesh Biswas said that a bomb disposal squad from the Sealdah GRP was rushed to the spot and recovered about 29 crude bombs.

The rag picker, who sustained splinter injuries on his right arm, was admitted to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Further investigation into the incident is underway.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpotVisuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpotVisuals</a> Explosion on Kolkata's Dum Dum cantonment railway line. Ten crude bombs recovered at the spot of the explosion, police and railway police present at the spot. One person critically. <a href="https://t.co/EGWk8rFpDi">pic.twitter.com/EGWk8rFpDi</a>
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The police along with the railway police have started investigating the matter. Further details awaited.

The explosion comes just two days after a&nbsp;bomb was recovered on Saturday night from an under-construction metro tunnel in Kolkata. The bomb was recovered from Subhas Sarovar under-construction metro tunnel.

The police and railway officials immediately rushed to the side and recovered 10 crude bombs at the spot of explosion

A man in Kolkata was left critically injured after an explosion in Dum Dum Cantonment railway line on Monday morning. The police and railway officials immediately rushed to the site and recovered 10 crude bombs at the spot of the explosion. As per PTI, the bomb exploded when Basudeb Biswas (28), a rag picker, tried to open a metallic container which he found near a rail track between Dum Dum Cantonment and Dum Dum Junction stations. Superintendent of Railway Police (SRP), Asesh Biswas said that a bomb disposal squad from the Sealdah GRP was rushed to the spot and recovered about 29 crude bombs. The rag picker, who sustained splinter injuries on his right arm, was admitted to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Further investigation into the incident is underway. #SpotVisuals Explosion on Kolkata's Dum Dum cantonment railway line. Ten crude bombs recovered at the spot of the explosion, police and railway police present at the spot. One person critically. pic.twitter.com/EGWk8rFpDi — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2018 × The police along with the railway police have started investigating the matter. Further details awaited. The explosion comes just two days after a bomb was recovered on Saturday night from an under-construction metro tunnel in Kolkata. The bomb was recovered from Subhas Sarovar under-construction metro tunnel.

Explosion at Kolkata's cantonment railway station, 10 crude bombs discovered

A blast in Dera Ismail Khan, northwest Pakistan has claimed three lives. The victims were all police personnel. Two people have been injured in the incident that took place on Friday evening.&nbsp

According to reports, a police vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) in northwest Pakistan yesterday when the officials were on a routine patrolling duty.&nbsp

The injured were rushed to the nearest hospital. District Police Officer, Zahidullah remained unhurt in the blast.

The incident occurred on Kolachi road in Dera Ismael Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering South Waziristan Agency when the squad of District Police Officer (DPO) was on a routine evening duty.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp

According to reports, a police vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) in northwest Pakistan yesterday

A blast in Dera Ismail Khan, northwest Pakistan has claimed three lives. The victims were all police personnel. Two people have been injured in the incident that took place on Friday evening. According to reports, a police vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) in northwest Pakistan yesterday when the officials were on a routine patrolling duty. The injured were rushed to the nearest hospital. District Police Officer, Zahidullah remained unhurt in the blast. The incident occurred on Kolachi road in Dera Ismael Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering South Waziristan Agency when the squad of District Police Officer (DPO) was on a routine evening duty. (With inputs from PTI)

Pakistan: 3 policemen killed, 2 injured in IED blast

&nbspA blast in a firecracker godown in Riyazpura in Jalandhar today killed one person and injured three, police said.

Four workers were buried under the debris in the godown, the police said, adding one body was retrieved from the debris and three others seriously injured were hospitalised.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed Jalandhar Police Commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry to ascertain the reasons behind the blast in the firecracker godown.

The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 1 lakh for the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 25,000 each for the three injured, besides directing the administration to provide free medical treatment for them.

Singh also directed local authorities to extend all possible help to the victims' families.

The injured were identified as Deepika, Karan and Sunil and their condition was stated to be serious.

Four workers were buried under the debris in the godown, the police said, adding one body was retrieved from the debris and three others seriously injured were hospitalised

&nbspA blast in a firecracker godown in Riyazpura in Jalandhar today killed one person and injured three, police said. Four workers were buried under the debris in the godown, the police said, adding one body was retrieved from the debris and three others seriously injured were hospitalised. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed Jalandhar Police Commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry to ascertain the reasons behind the blast in the firecracker godown. The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 1 lakh for the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 25,000 each for the three injured, besides directing the administration to provide free medical treatment for them. Singh also directed local authorities to extend all possible help to the victims' families. The injured were identified as Deepika, Karan and Sunil and their condition was stated to be serious.

1 killed, 3 injured in blast in firecracker godown

A major blast in a powder coating company at Halol in Panchamahals district, Ahmedabad, killed one worker and left eight injured on Sunday, police informed.&nbsp;

The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old&nbsp;Satishbhai Rathod.

As per the police, the blast happened due to overheating of the furnace at Narmada Industries, located in an industrial area in Halol town.&nbsp;

Two fire tendered had been rushed to the spot immediately to douse the fire.&nbsp;

&quot;Nine persons were working in the unit of the company when the furnace exploded due to overheating, killing one on the spot. Eight others sustained burn injuries and were rushed to a government hospital in Vadodara,&quot; the officer said, adding a probe was on.

On Thursday, a machine operator lost his life and three others sustained severe injuries after a centrifuge machine in a dye manufacturing unit in Vatva GIDC, Ahmedabad, malfunctioned creating a blast.

Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) responded to douse flames and rescue those affected.

As per the police, the blast happened due to overheating of the furnace at Narmada Industries, located in an industrial area in Halol town.

A major blast in a powder coating company at Halol in Panchamahals district, Ahmedabad, killed one worker and left eight injured on Sunday, police informed. The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old Satishbhai Rathod. As per the police, the blast happened due to overheating of the furnace at Narmada Industries, located in an industrial area in Halol town. Two fire tendered had been rushed to the spot immediately to douse the fire. "Nine persons were working in the unit of the company when the furnace exploded due to overheating, killing one on the spot. Eight others sustained burn injuries and were rushed to a government hospital in Vadodara," the officer said, adding a probe was on. On Thursday, a machine operator lost his life and three others sustained severe injuries after a centrifuge machine in a dye manufacturing unit in Vatva GIDC, Ahmedabad, malfunctioned creating a blast. Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) responded to douse flames and rescue those affected.

Ahmedabad: Blast in Narmada Industry kills 1, injures 8

At least five people died in a blast that took place in an illegal firecracker factory at Nalanda&#39;s Jalalpur in Bihar. &nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Nalanda&#39;s Jalalpur, where a blast took place in an illegal firecracker factory. One dead, 25 injured in the blast. Investigation is underway. <a href="https://t.co/eYP4hrrUHm">pic.twitter.com/eYP4hrrUHm</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976978544491450368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At least 25 people sustained injuries in the incident, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

One person reportedly died as per earlier reports.&nbsp;

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Latest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#visuals</a> from Nalanda&#39;s Jalalpur where a blast in an illegal firecracker factory killed five &amp; injured several <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bihar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bihar</a> <a href="https://t.co/ImEyd2KcnF">pic.twitter.com/ImEyd2KcnF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/976998945455996930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The investigation is underway, as per ANI report.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

At least 25 people sustained injuries in the incident.

At least five people died in a blast that took place in an illegal firecracker factory at Nalanda's Jalalpur in Bihar. #Visuals from Nalanda's Jalalpur, where a blast took place in an illegal firecracker factory. One dead, 25 injured in the blast. Investigation is underway. pic.twitter.com/eYP4hrrUHm — ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2018 × At least 25 people sustained injuries in the incident, news agency ANI reported. One person reportedly died as per earlier reports. Latest #visuals from Nalanda's Jalalpur where a blast in an illegal firecracker factory killed five & injured several #Bihar pic.twitter.com/ImEyd2KcnF — ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2018 × The investigation is underway, as per ANI report.

Bihar: Death toll rises to 5 in blast at illegal firecracker factory

A bomb planted on a motobike exploded in Afghanistan on Monday outside a political rally being held by a veteran insurgent commander who made peace with the government last year, killing three people and wounding eight, officials said.

The former commander, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, was not hurt in the blast that came 10 minutes after his rally ended, in the eastern city of Jalalabad, as people were leaving the site, said Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor.

Hekmatyar, a major figure in Afghanistan&#39;s decades of conflict who served as prime minister for a period during civil war in the 1990s, was in recent years allied with the Taliban.

He returned to Kabul last year under a peace deal with the government, as head of his powerful Hizb-i-Islami party.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Nangarhar province, of which Jalalabad is capital, shares a long and porous border with Pakistan, and has recent years become a hotbed of militants affiliated to both Islamic State and the Taliban.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast

A bomb planted on a motobike exploded in Afghanistan on Monday outside a political rally being held by a veteran insurgent commander who made peace with the government last year, killing three people and wounding eight, officials said. The former commander, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, was not hurt in the blast that came 10 minutes after his rally ended, in the eastern city of Jalalabad, as people were leaving the site, said Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor. Hekmatyar, a major figure in Afghanistan's decades of conflict who served as prime minister for a period during civil war in the 1990s, was in recent years allied with the Taliban. He returned to Kabul last year under a peace deal with the government, as head of his powerful Hizb-i-Islami party. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast. Nangarhar province, of which Jalalabad is capital, shares a long and porous border with Pakistan, and has recent years become a hotbed of militants affiliated to both Islamic State and the Taliban.

3 killed in blast outside Hekmatyar rally in Afghanistan

A powerful blast tonight near the residence of Pakistan&#39;s ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif here killed at least seven persons, including three policemen.

The blast took place close to a police check post, a few kilometres from the palatial residence of the Sharif family and close to the congregation of the Tableeghi Jamaat.

&quot;Seven persons have been killed in the blast. Some seven policemen among the 20 or so suffered injuries. The condition of four policemen is stated to be critical,&quot; Rescue 1122 spokesman Jam Sajjad said.

He said the Rescue ambulances are shifting the injured to the Sharif medical complex and other nearby hospitals.

Deputy Inspector General Police Lahore Dr Haider Ashraf told reporters that three policemen were among the dead.

&quot;The condition of some policemen is critical,&quot; he said.

&quot;It is not confirmed yet whether it was a suicide blast or planted device,&quot; he said, adding &quot;police personnel&quot; were the target of the blast.

It was such a powerful blast that its sound was heard several kilometres from the site. A fireball was seen after the blast at the Nisar Police Check Post.

No militant group has claimed the responsibility of the blast so far.

Pakistan Rangers quick response force has reached the spot and cordoned off the area.

The blast took place close to a police check post, a few kilometres from the palatial residence of the Sharif family and close to the congregation of the Tableeghi Jamaat

A powerful blast tonight near the residence of Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif here killed at least seven persons, including three policemen. The blast took place close to a police check post, a few kilometres from the palatial residence of the Sharif family and close to the congregation of the Tableeghi Jamaat. "Seven persons have been killed in the blast. Some seven policemen among the 20 or so suffered injuries. The condition of four policemen is stated to be critical," Rescue 1122 spokesman Jam Sajjad said. He said the Rescue ambulances are shifting the injured to the Sharif medical complex and other nearby hospitals. Deputy Inspector General Police Lahore Dr Haider Ashraf told reporters that three policemen were among the dead. "The condition of some policemen is critical," he said. "It is not confirmed yet whether it was a suicide blast or planted device," he said, adding "police personnel" were the target of the blast. It was such a powerful blast that its sound was heard several kilometres from the site. A fireball was seen after the blast at the Nisar Police Check Post. No militant group has claimed the responsibility of the blast so far. Pakistan Rangers quick response force has reached the spot and cordoned off the area.

7 killed in blast near Nawaz Sharif's residence in Pakistan

A grenade blast killed one person in further violence between majority Buddhist Sinhalese and minority Muslims in Sri Lanka on Wednesday as the government moved to block social messaging networks in an effort to halt the bloodshed.&nbsp;

The South Asian country has been rocked by communal clashes in its central highlands since Sunday following attacks on Muslims by nationalist Sinhalese crowds.

Communal tensions have grown over the past year with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. Muslim groups deny these allegations.

Some Buddhist nationalists have also protested against the presence in Sri Lanka of Muslim Rohingya asylum seekers from mostly Buddhist Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has also been on the rise.

Police declared a curfew until 4 p.m. (1130 GMT) Thursday in the central highlands district of Kandy, the epicentre of the violence following the death of a Buddhist youth after an altercation with a group of Muslims.

Buddhist mobs attacked mosques and businesses belonging to Muslims overnight, residents told Reuters on Wednesday, even after President Maithripala Sirisena decreed an emergency for seven days to curb the violence.

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said there had been several disturbances throughout Tuesday night in the Kandy area, renowned for its tea plantations and scenic hills.

&quot;One person was killed and three were injured during the day after a hand grenade exploded,&quot; Gunasekara told Reuters, without elaborating. Police have arrested seven people and three police officers were injured in the incidents, he said.&nbsp;

The severed head of a youth was found in a mainly Muslim area in the capital Colombo, adding to tensions, residents said. Police said they were investigating.

Some of the violence has been instigated by Facebook postings that threatened more attacks on Muslims, the government said. On Wednesday, it said Facebook, Viber and WhatsApp would be blocked across Sri Lanka for three days.

Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, said it was working to identify and remove incitements to violence and was in contact with the government and private organizations.

&quot;We have clear rules against hate speech and incitement to violence and work hard to keep it off our platform,&quot; the social network said in a statement.&nbsp;

The crisis spurred opposition parties to shelve a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for alleged mismanagement of the economy that was originally set to be filed on Monday.&nbsp;

On a visit to Kandy, President Maithripala Sirisena urged religious leaders to do more to rebuild inter-communal peace.

Facebook postings

Muslims in Colombo said they fear for the safety of relatives living in Kandy.&nbsp;

Mohamed Khan, a 71-year-old worker in a soap factory in Colombo, said his relatives in Kandy were in hiding. &quot;They say the police and military are...not taking any action,&quot; he said.

Analysts said Muslim-owned businesses were being targeted as many Sinhalese believe that the minority group holds disproportionate economic power.

Sri Lanka is still healing from a 26-year civil war with Tamil separatist rebels that was plagued by atrocities and ended in 2009. Sinhalese comprise around 70 percent of the South Asian nation&#39;s 21 million population, ethnic Tamils - who are mainly Hindu - about 13 percent, and Muslims around 9 percent.

UN&nbsp;human rights chief Zeid Ra&#39;ad al-Hussein said he was alarmed by recurring episodes of violence against ethnic and religious minorities in Sri Lanka and wanted accountability.

&quot;There should be no impunity, either for the incitement that led to the attacks, or the attacks themselves,&quot; he said in a speech to the UN&nbsp;Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The US&nbsp;State Department issued a security alert warning of the possibility of further unrest in Kandy.

Tourism, one of the foreign exchange mainstays of Sri Lanka&#39;s $81 billion economy, could take a serious hit from the violence as Kandy is a prime destination for foreign travellers.

Kandy is located in the heart of the Indian Ocean island nation&#39;s tea-growing region but an Indian trader said the crisis was unlikely to affect global tea markets in the near term.

&quot;This will delay shipments, but won&#39;t have any impact on global prices, as Kenya and India have ample supplies to substitute. If supplies remain disrupted for more than a month, then prices could go up,&quot; said a tea broker in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata.

Sri Lanka is the world&#39;s third biggest tea exporter. 
&nbsp;

The South Asian country has been rocked by communal clashes in its central highlands since Sunday

A grenade blast killed one person in further violence between majority Buddhist Sinhalese and minority Muslims in Sri Lanka on Wednesday as the government moved to block social messaging networks in an effort to halt the bloodshed. The South Asian country has been rocked by communal clashes in its central highlands since Sunday following attacks on Muslims by nationalist Sinhalese crowds. Communal tensions have grown over the past year with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. Muslim groups deny these allegations. Some Buddhist nationalists have also protested against the presence in Sri Lanka of Muslim Rohingya asylum seekers from mostly Buddhist Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has also been on the rise. Police declared a curfew until 4 p.m. (1130 GMT) Thursday in the central highlands district of Kandy, the epicentre of the violence following the death of a Buddhist youth after an altercation with a group of Muslims. Buddhist mobs attacked mosques and businesses belonging to Muslims overnight, residents told Reuters on Wednesday, even after President Maithripala Sirisena decreed an emergency for seven days to curb the violence. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said there had been several disturbances throughout Tuesday night in the Kandy area, renowned for its tea plantations and scenic hills. "One person was killed and three were injured during the day after a hand grenade exploded," Gunasekara told Reuters, without elaborating. Police have arrested seven people and three police officers were injured in the incidents, he said. The severed head of a youth was found in a mainly Muslim area in the capital Colombo, adding to tensions, residents said. Police said they were investigating. Some of the violence has been instigated by Facebook postings that threatened more attacks on Muslims, the government said. On Wednesday, it said Facebook, Viber and WhatsApp would be blocked across Sri Lanka for three days. Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, said it was working to identify and remove incitements to violence and was in contact with the government and private organizations. "We have clear rules against hate speech and incitement to violence and work hard to keep it off our platform," the social network said in a statement. The crisis spurred opposition parties to shelve a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for alleged mismanagement of the economy that was originally set to be filed on Monday. On a visit to Kandy, President Maithripala Sirisena urged religious leaders to do more to rebuild inter-communal peace. Facebook postings Muslims in Colombo said they fear for the safety of relatives living in Kandy. Mohamed Khan, a 71-year-old worker in a soap factory in Colombo, said his relatives in Kandy were in hiding. "They say the police and military are...not taking any action," he said. Analysts said Muslim-owned businesses were being targeted as many Sinhalese believe that the minority group holds disproportionate economic power. Sri Lanka is still healing from a 26-year civil war with Tamil separatist rebels that was plagued by atrocities and ended in 2009. Sinhalese comprise around 70 percent of the South Asian nation's 21 million population, ethnic Tamils - who are mainly Hindu - about 13 percent, and Muslims around 9 percent. UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said he was alarmed by recurring episodes of violence against ethnic and religious minorities in Sri Lanka and wanted accountability. "There should be no impunity, either for the incitement that led to the attacks, or the attacks themselves," he said in a speech to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The US State Department issued a security alert warning of the possibility of further unrest in Kandy. Tourism, one of the foreign exchange mainstays of Sri Lanka's $81 billion economy, could take a serious hit from the violence as Kandy is a prime destination for foreign travellers. Kandy is located in the heart of the Indian Ocean island nation's tea-growing region but an Indian trader said the crisis was unlikely to affect global tea markets in the near term. "This will delay shipments, but won't have any impact on global prices, as Kenya and India have ample supplies to substitute. If supplies remain disrupted for more than a month, then prices could go up," said a tea broker in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. Sri Lanka is the world's third biggest tea exporter.

Grenade blast kills one in Sri Lanka communal violence, social media blocked

The death toll from the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/18-killed-as-2-bomb-blasts-gunfire-rock-somalias-capital-mogadishu-33874"> two suicide car bomb</a> blasts that ripped through the Somali capital on Friday has risen to 45 people, according to a senior government official.

A loud explosion&nbsp;took place on Friday, followed by a second blast and sustained gunfire which broke out near the president&#39;s residence. The second blast took place beside a popular hotel.&nbsp;

The Aamin Ambulance service, which confirmed the death toll, transported victims to the hospital.&nbsp;

Abdulkadir Abdirahman Adan of the Aamin Ambulance Service said the bombings targeted the presidential palace and a hotel. He said that most of the victims were civilians.

&quot;The militants got off when they neared the palace, the suicide car bomb exploded outside the palace where there were many military soldiers who guarded the street adjacent to the palace,&quot; Major Omar Abdullahi told Reuters.

The militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

The group frequently carries out suicide attacks in Somalia and parts of East Africa.

Shooting broke out near the president`s residence at the time of the explosions, police and ambulance services said

The death toll from the two suicide car bomb blasts that ripped through the Somali capital on Friday has risen to 45 people, according to a senior government official. A loud explosion took place on Friday, followed by a second blast and sustained gunfire which broke out near the president's residence. The second blast took place beside a popular hotel. The Aamin Ambulance service, which confirmed the death toll, transported victims to the hospital. Abdulkadir Abdirahman Adan of the Aamin Ambulance Service said the bombings targeted the presidential palace and a hotel. He said that most of the victims were civilians. "The militants got off when they neared the palace, the suicide car bomb exploded outside the palace where there were many military soldiers who guarded the street adjacent to the palace," Major Omar Abdullahi told Reuters. The militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. The group frequently carries out suicide attacks in Somalia and parts of East Africa.

Somalia twin blast: Death toll rises to 45

A blast occurred at a shipyard in Cochin, Kerala leading to the death of at least five people.

Reports said at least 11 people have been injured.

The blast reportedly occurred during maintenance work which was being carried out in an oil and&nbsp;national gas corporation (ONGC) ship.

ONGC&#39;s&nbsp;drill ship named Sagar Bhushan caught fire during the blast.

The water tank of the vessel caught fire, reports said.

Police and fire tenders rushed to the spot with rescue operations in full swing.

Union Minister of Shipping and Water Resources Nitin Gadkari has directed MD Cochin Shipyard to provide all medical support to victims and initiate an inquiry into the incident.

Reports said at least 11 people have been injured.

A blast occurred at a shipyard in Cochin, Kerala leading to the death of at least five people. Reports said at least 11 people have been injured. The blast reportedly occurred during maintenance work which was being carried out in an oil and national gas corporation (ONGC) ship. ONGC's drill ship named Sagar Bhushan caught fire during the blast. The water tank of the vessel caught fire, reports said. Police and fire tenders rushed to the spot with rescue operations in full swing. Union Minister of Shipping and Water Resources Nitin Gadkari has directed MD Cochin Shipyard to provide all medical support to victims and initiate an inquiry into the incident.

Blast in Cochin shipyard as ONGC ship catches fire, at least 5 killed

Gunmen stormed the office compound of&nbsp;the Save the Children charity in&nbsp;Jalalabad about 9 am Wednesday morning.

A car bomb was set off at the office after which a gun battle was underway.

So far, two are reported dead with 12 wounded.&nbsp;

The local Tolo News channel reported security forces to have cordoned off the compound.&nbsp;

It is unclear at the moment how many gunmen there are. Or how many employees are trapped inside.&nbsp;

No one has as yet claimed responsibility for the attack however, Taliban has distanced itself from the attack denying its involvement in a Twitter post.&nbsp;

A string of attacks started at about 9 am&nbsp; -- when employees begin to show up at work -- in Afghanistan recently.&nbsp;

TOLOnews reports four attackers to be currently inside the compound while &quot;plumes of black smoke rise from the organization&rsquo;s compound&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;According to Attaullah Khoghyani, Provencial governor&#39;s spokesman, one security force member and a civilian have lost their&nbsp;life. Twelve others were reported.

Save the Children tweeted out saying that, &quot;We are devastated at the news that our Save the Children office at Jalalabad, Afghanistan came under attack this morning as armed men entered the building about 0900 today local time. Our primary concern is for the safety and security of our staff. We are awaiting further information from our team and cannot comment further at this time,&quot; noted the tweet.&nbsp;

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BREAKING: horrific news of an ongoing attack targeting Save the Children compound in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalalabad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jalalabad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>, with reports of several injured. <a href="https://t.co/7p2iKP7cbT">pic.twitter.com/7p2iKP7cbT</a>
&mdash; SavetheChildren News (@SaveUKNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaveUKNews/status/956064810461999107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The local Tolo News channel reported security forces to have cordoned off the compound

Gunmen stormed the office compound of the Save the Children charity in Jalalabad about 9 am Wednesday morning. A car bomb was set off at the office after which a gun battle was underway. So far, two are reported dead with 12 wounded. The local Tolo News channel reported security forces to have cordoned off the compound. It is unclear at the moment how many gunmen there are. Or how many employees are trapped inside. No one has as yet claimed responsibility for the attack however, Taliban has distanced itself from the attack denying its involvement in a Twitter post. A string of attacks started at about 9 am -- when employees begin to show up at work -- in Afghanistan recently. TOLOnews reports four attackers to be currently inside the compound while "plumes of black smoke rise from the organization’s compound". According to Attaullah Khoghyani, Provencial governor's spokesman, one security force member and a civilian have lost their life. Twelve others were reported. Save the Children tweeted out saying that, "We are devastated at the news that our Save the Children office at Jalalabad, Afghanistan came under attack this morning as armed men entered the building about 0900 today local time. Our primary concern is for the safety and security of our staff. We are awaiting further information from our team and cannot comment further at this time," noted the tweet. BREAKING: horrific news of an ongoing attack targeting Save the Children compound in #Jalalabad #Afghanistan, with reports of several injured. pic.twitter.com/7p2iKP7cbT — SavetheChildren News (@SaveUKNews) January 24, 2018 ×

Video: 2 dead, 12 wounded in attack at Save the Children office in Afghanistan

An explosion killed 18 people with at least 13 injured at a funeral procession in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

According to Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor, the blast hit people gathered for the funeral of a former district governor.

No immediate responsibility for the attack has been claimed.&nbsp;

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12 killed and 14 wounded in a blast at a funeral ceremony in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar Province: Afghan media <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/947419155031932928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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According to the deputy spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, a rickshaw carrying explosives went off among people gathered for a funeral.

Initial reports suspected a suicide bomber behind the attack, however, the authorities now believe it to be a remotely-detonated explosion.

The explosion occured three days after Kabul was attacked by a suicide bombing that killed 41 people with at least 80 wounded.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-attack-death-toll-rises-to-41-84-injured-27966">Shi&#39;ite cultural centre in Kabul</a> on Thursday.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

No immediate responsibility for the attack has been claimed.?

An explosion killed 18 people with at least 13 injured at a funeral procession in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. According to Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor, the blast hit people gathered for the funeral of a former district governor. No immediate responsibility for the attack has been claimed. 12 killed and 14 wounded in a blast at a funeral ceremony in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar Province: Afghan media #Afghanistan — ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2017 × According to the deputy spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, a rickshaw carrying explosives went off among people gathered for a funeral. Initial reports suspected a suicide bomber behind the attack, however, the authorities now believe it to be a remotely-detonated explosion. The explosion occured three days after Kabul was attacked by a suicide bombing that killed 41 people with at least 80 wounded. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted the Shi'ite cultural centre in Kabul on Thursday. (With inputs from Reuters)

Afghanistan: Blast at funeral kills 18, 13 injured

Multiple explosions have left 40 dead and 30 wounded at Afghan Voice news agency and&nbsp;Tebyan - Social-Cultural activities in Kabul on Thursday,&nbsp;Afghan interior ministry said.&nbsp;

It has also been reported that a suicide bomber was likely to have been behind the attack.

&quot;There were two explosions. We still do not know the target of the attack, but Afghan Voice Agency is in the area of the attack,&quot; interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.

Another deputy interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP: &quot;The target of the attack was the Tabayan cultural centre. A ceremony was being held to mark the 38th anniversary of Soviet-invasion in Afghanistan when the explosion went off.&quot;

As per reports, witnesses said there were maximum casualties among students attending a panel discussion with researchers at the agency&#39;s offices.

According to officials, more&nbsp;casualties are feared.&nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest in a series of attacks on Afghan media groups but the Taliban issued a statement denying any involvement.

Last week, Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a compound of Afghanistan&rsquo;s national intelligence agency in Kabul, which killed at least five people and wounded two.

The blast, the latest in a series to hit Afghan media groups in recent years, also follows an attack on a private television station in Kabul last month.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-blasts-islamic-state-group-claims-responsibility-27958">Islamic State group</a> has claimed responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;

Two blasts took place in the Afghan Voice news agency, followed by another at the Tebyan - Social-Cultural activities centre

Multiple explosions have left 40 dead and 30 wounded at Afghan Voice news agency and Tebyan - Social-Cultural activities in Kabul on Thursday, Afghan interior ministry said. It has also been reported that a suicide bomber was likely to have been behind the attack. "There were two explosions. We still do not know the target of the attack, but Afghan Voice Agency is in the area of the attack," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. Another deputy interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP: "The target of the attack was the Tabayan cultural centre. A ceremony was being held to mark the 38th anniversary of Soviet-invasion in Afghanistan when the explosion went off." As per reports, witnesses said there were maximum casualties among students attending a panel discussion with researchers at the agency's offices. According to officials, more casualties are feared. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest in a series of attacks on Afghan media groups but the Taliban issued a statement denying any involvement. Last week, Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a compound of Afghanistan’s national intelligence agency in Kabul, which killed at least five people and wounded two. The blast, the latest in a series to hit Afghan media groups in recent years, also follows an attack on a private television station in Kabul last month. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kabul: 40 dead, 30 wounded in multiple blasts

A suicide bomber struck Kabul Monday morning close to the country&#39;s national intelligence agency -- the National Directorate for Security.&nbsp;

Officials said six people were dead and three wounded.&nbsp;

&quot;Six people were martyred and three others were wounded,&quot; AFP reported interior ministry spokesperson Najib Danish as saying.&nbsp;

The attacker struck as&nbsp;NDS employees were arriving at work.&nbsp;

AFP quoted Danish as saying the six people who died had been in a car when the attacker struck.&nbsp;

&quot;They were hit when they were passing the area in their Toyota sedan vehicle,&quot; Danish said.&nbsp;

He added that the attack had taken place on the main road, not inside the NDS compound, and that authorities were still not certain what the attacker&#39;s intended target had been.&nbsp;

There has as yet been no claim of responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;

Islamic State had however&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/militants-storm-kabul-spy-training-centre-27065" target="_blank">claimed</a> the attack a week ago on an NDS&nbsp;training facility in Kabul. &nbsp;

(This is a developing story)

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Officials added that three people had been wounded

A suicide bomber struck Kabul Monday morning close to the country's national intelligence agency -- the National Directorate for Security. Officials said six people were dead and three wounded. "Six people were martyred and three others were wounded," AFP reported interior ministry spokesperson Najib Danish as saying. The attacker struck as NDS employees were arriving at work. AFP quoted Danish as saying the six people who died had been in a car when the attacker struck. "They were hit when they were passing the area in their Toyota sedan vehicle," Danish said. He added that the attack had taken place on the main road, not inside the NDS compound, and that authorities were still not certain what the attacker's intended target had been. There has as yet been no claim of responsibility for the attack. Islamic State had however claimed the attack a week ago on an NDS training facility in Kabul. (This is a developing story)

6 dead after suicide bombing in Kabul near country's national intelligence agency

Eight people have been killed and over 30 injured injured in a suicide attack on a Catholic church in Quetta, Pakistan.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a> 4 killed, 25 injured as terrorists storm Church in Balochistan&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Quetta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Quetta</a> : Pakistan media <a href="https://t.co/doqnogRnpj">pic.twitter.com/doqnogRnpj</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942306891127857157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan&#39;s Dawn News confirmed the attack on the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church on Zarghoon Road, Quetta this afternoon.

There were two suicide attackers.&nbsp;

News reports said security forces were able to shoot down the first.&nbsp;

But the second attacker got to the door where he blew himself up.&nbsp;

There were close to 400 people praying inside, Dawn News reported.&nbsp;

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The wounded were moved to Quetta&#39;s Civil Hospital.

A number of people were thought to be critically injured.&nbsp;

Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, saying on Twitter that a massive tragedy had been successfully averted by police and others.&nbsp;

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By the grace of Almighty, 02 Suicide Bombers stopped on entrance of Church in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Quetta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Quetta</a>. LEAs took 16 mins to complete the op. CCPO &amp; DC <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Quetta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Quetta</a> along with IG Police <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Balochistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Balochistan</a> lead the operation from forefront.
&mdash; Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakSarfrazbugti/status/942311606310113280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Quetta is the provincial capital and the largest city of Balochistan, Pakistan.&nbsp;

The attack took place on the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church

Eight people have been killed and over 30 injured injured in a suicide attack on a Catholic church in Quetta, Pakistan. #UPDATE 4 killed, 25 injured as terrorists storm Church in Balochistan's #Quetta : Pakistan media pic.twitter.com/doqnogRnpj — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2017 × Pakistan's Dawn News confirmed the attack on the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church on Zarghoon Road, Quetta this afternoon. There were two suicide attackers. News reports said security forces were able to shoot down the first. But the second attacker got to the door where he blew himself up. There were close to 400 people praying inside, Dawn News reported. The wounded were moved to Quetta's Civil Hospital. A number of people were thought to be critically injured. Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack, saying on Twitter that a massive tragedy had been successfully averted by police and others. By the grace of Almighty, 02 Suicide Bombers stopped on entrance of Church in #Quetta. LEAs took 16 mins to complete the op. CCPO & DC #Quetta along with IG Police #Balochistan lead the operation from forefront. — Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) December 17, 2017 × Quetta is the provincial capital and the largest city of Balochistan, Pakistan.

Pakistan: 8 killed in suicide attack on Quetta church

A bomb blast in the Syrian city of Homs killed eight people and injured around 16 in a bus on Tuesday, media reports said.&nbsp;

The blast took place near al-Baath university, in the streets of &nbsp;Akrama neighbourhood - home to members of the Alawite minority to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs.&nbsp;

Most victims were university students, reports said.&nbsp;

&quot;At least eight people died when a mini-bus exploded on the edge of the Akrama neighbourhood,&quot; the head of the Britain-based monitor, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP.

However, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet, reports further said.&nbsp;

Earlier, Islamic state had taken responsibility for a similar attack in Homs in May, where four people were killed and 32 were injured after a bomb was planted in a car.&nbsp;

Akrama has under attack many times this year itself. However, the deadliest one ever encountered was one which killed dozens of school children in October 2014.

Many of the passengers were university students, Homs Governor Talal Barazi told state-run Ikhbariya television. The blast hit the Akrama neighbourhood, near al-Baath university.

A bomb blast in the Syrian city of Homs killed eight people and injured around 16 in a bus on Tuesday, media reports said. The blast took place near al-Baath university, in the streets of Akrama neighbourhood - home to members of the Alawite minority to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs. Most victims were university students, reports said. "At least eight people died when a mini-bus exploded on the edge of the Akrama neighbourhood," the head of the Britain-based monitor, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP. However, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet, reports further said. Earlier, Islamic state had taken responsibility for a similar attack in Homs in May, where four people were killed and 32 were injured after a bomb was planted in a car. Akrama has under attack many times this year itself. However, the deadliest one ever encountered was one which killed dozens of school children in October 2014.

Bus bomb kills eight passengers in Syria's Homs city: Report

A roadside bomb killed at least six people and wounded eight others on Tuesday in Pakistan&#39;s restive northwestern tribal area bordering Afghanistan, officials said.

The blast took place in North Waziristan, one of the country&#39;s seven semi-autonomous tribal districts, where the army has been battling Taliban militants.

&quot;The casualties came from a bomb planted in a motorcycle parked on a roadside in Khadi market of Mir Ali town,&quot; Kamran Khan Afridi, a senior administration official in the area, told AFP.

&quot;The blast targeted two vehicles passing along the road. Six people who died and eight who were injured are believed to be the vehicles&#39;&nbsp;passengers,&quot; he said.

Local government and security officials also confirmed the attack and casualties.

Mir Ali town and neighbouring Miranshah, North Waziristan&#39;s capital, have long been home to Taliban militants.

Although violence in Pakistan has declined in recent years following a series of military offensives against insurgents along the northwestern border, militant groups are still able to carry out bloody attacks.

In a number of assaults in recent weeks, militants have killed several people in the northwest as well as in southwestern Balochistan province.

Last week, gunmen wearing burkas boarded a rickshaw and killed nine people in an attack on an agriculture institute in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

This latest wave of attacks came as hundreds of people displaced from their homes during the offensives in North Waziristan prepared to return after the military declared the region safe.

The blast took place in North Waziristan, one of the country's seven semi-autonomous tribal districts, where the army has been battling Taliban militants

A roadside bomb killed at least six people and wounded eight others on Tuesday in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal area bordering Afghanistan, officials said. The blast took place in North Waziristan, one of the country's seven semi-autonomous tribal districts, where the army has been battling Taliban militants. "The casualties came from a bomb planted in a motorcycle parked on a roadside in Khadi market of Mir Ali town," Kamran Khan Afridi, a senior administration official in the area, told AFP. "The blast targeted two vehicles passing along the road. Six people who died and eight who were injured are believed to be the vehicles' passengers," he said. Local government and security officials also confirmed the attack and casualties. Mir Ali town and neighbouring Miranshah, North Waziristan's capital, have long been home to Taliban militants. Although violence in Pakistan has declined in recent years following a series of military offensives against insurgents along the northwestern border, militant groups are still able to carry out bloody attacks. In a number of assaults in recent weeks, militants have killed several people in the northwest as well as in southwestern Balochistan province. Last week, gunmen wearing burkas boarded a rickshaw and killed nine people in an attack on an agriculture institute in the northwestern city of Peshawar. This latest wave of attacks came as hundreds of people displaced from their homes during the offensives in North Waziristan prepared to return after the military declared the region safe.

Blast in Pakistan's north Waziristan, 6 dead

Turkey on Monday began a day of mourning for 305 people killed in the Sinai mosque massacre despite strained ties with Egypt.

The Turkish prime minister&#39;s office also condemned the &quot;heinous terror attack&quot; at the North Sinai Rawda mosque which no group has yet claimed.

Flags are being flown at half-mast in government buildings inside and outside Turkey until sunset.

Ties between Turkey and Egypt have been tense since the Egyptian military ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.&nbsp;

Erdogan denounced the move and called Morsi&#39;s ouster a &quot;coup&quot;.

Morsi&#39;s Muslim Brotherhood is outlawed in Egypt but members of the group have sought refuge in Turkey.

Last week, Egypt&#39;s public prosecutor ordered 29 people to be detained for 15 days pending a probe into claims they spied for Turkey and joined a &quot;terrorist&quot; group.

Turkish officials were quick to offer condolences and support following the assault, including Erdogan who put the blame on Islamic State for the &quot;treacherous attack&quot;.

&quot;Daesh (Islamic State) terror is inhuman, it has once again shown its un-Islamic face. Turkey stands with its Egyptian brothers and sisters,&quot; Erdogan said on Saturday.

It is not known why the mosque was targeted but it is assumed in Egypt that it happened because Sufi Muslims worshipped at the mosque.

Up to 30 militants in camouflage flying the black banner of the Islamic State extremist group surrounded the mosque and killed worshippers during weekly Friday prayers, Egyptian authorities said.

Flags are being flown at half-mast in government buildings inside and outside Turkey until sunset

Turkey on Monday began a day of mourning for 305 people killed in the Sinai mosque massacre despite strained ties with Egypt. The Turkish prime minister's office also condemned the "heinous terror attack" at the North Sinai Rawda mosque which no group has yet claimed. Flags are being flown at half-mast in government buildings inside and outside Turkey until sunset. Ties between Turkey and Egypt have been tense since the Egyptian military ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan denounced the move and called Morsi's ouster a "coup". Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood is outlawed in Egypt but members of the group have sought refuge in Turkey. Last week, Egypt's public prosecutor ordered 29 people to be detained for 15 days pending a probe into claims they spied for Turkey and joined a "terrorist" group. Turkish officials were quick to offer condolences and support following the assault, including Erdogan who put the blame on Islamic State for the "treacherous attack". "Daesh (Islamic State) terror is inhuman, it has once again shown its un-Islamic face. Turkey stands with its Egyptian brothers and sisters," Erdogan said on Saturday. It is not known why the mosque was targeted but it is assumed in Egypt that it happened because Sufi Muslims worshipped at the mosque. Up to 30 militants in camouflage flying the black banner of the Islamic State extremist group surrounded the mosque and killed worshippers during weekly Friday prayers, Egyptian authorities said.

Turkey mourns Egypt mosque attack victims

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt&#39;s North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday.

No group has claimed responsibility, but Egyptian forces are battling a stubborn Islamic State affiliate in the region, one of the surviving branches of the militant group after it suffered defeats by US-backed forces in Iraq and Syria.

The assault on a mosque has stunned Egyptians, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi&#39;s government to tighten security at places of worship and key buildings, and call three days of mourning for the bloodiest attack in Egypt&#39;s modern history.&nbsp;

State news agency MENA said the death toll had risen to 305, including 27 children, and 128 people were injured.

Egypt`s public prosecutor&#39;s office, citing interviews with wounded survivors as part of its investigation, linked Islamic State militants, also known as Daesh, to the attack on the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El-Arish city.

&quot;The worshippers were taken by surprise by these elements,&quot; the prosecutor said in a statement. &quot;They numbered between 25 and 30, carrying the Daesh flag and took up positions in front of the mosque door and its 12 windows with automatic rifles.&quot;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-mourns-305-victims-of-sinai-mosque-attack-25126">Egypt mourns 305 victims of Sinai mosque attack</a>

The gunmen, some wearing masks and military-style uniforms, had arrived in jeeps, surrounded the mosque and opened fire inside, sending panicked worshippers scrambling over each other to escape the carnage.

Witnesses had said gunmen set off a bomb at the end of Friday prayers and then opened fire as people tried to flee, shooting at ambulances and setting fire to cars to block roads. Images on state media showed bloodied victims and bodies covered in blankets inside the mosque.

&quot;When the shooting began everyone was running, and everyone was bumping into one another,&quot; Magdy Rezk, a wounded survivor, said from his hospital bed. &quot;But I was able to make out masked men wearing military clothing.&quot;

Utmost Force

Striking a mosque would be a shift in tactics for the Sinai militants, who have previously attacked troops and police and more recently tried to spread their insurgency to the mainland by hitting Christian churches and pilgrims.

Local sources said some of the worshippers were Sufis, whom groups such as Islamic State consider targets because they revere saints and shrines, which for Islamists is tantamount to idolatry. Islamic State has targeted Sufi and Shi`ite Muslims in other countries like Iraq.

The jihadists in Egypt&#39;s Sinai have also attacked local tribes and their militias for working with the army and police.

Sisi, a former armed forces commander who supporters see as a bulwark against Islamist militants, promised the &quot;utmost force&quot; against those responsible for Friday`s attack. Security has been a key reason for his supporters to back him, and he is expected to run for re-election next year.

Egypt&#39;s military carried out air strikes and raids overnight to target hideouts and vehicles involved in the attack, the army said, without giving details on the number of militants.

&quot;What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism,&quot; Sisi said on Friday.

The Sinai attack came as Sisi&#39;s government looks to draw more foreign investment and finish an IMF reform programme to help revive an economy that struggled through instability after the 2011 uprising ousted long-standing leader Hosni Mubarak.

North Sinai, a mostly desert area stretching from the Suez Canal eastwards to the Gaza Strip and Israel, has long been a security headache for Egypt and is a strategic region for Cairo because of its sensitive borders.

Local militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, once allied to al Qaeda, split from it and declared allegiance to Islamic State in 2014. But attacks in the Sinai worsened after 2013 when Sisi led the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood after mass protests against his rule.&nbsp;

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt's North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday

Gunmen who attacked a mosque on Friday in Egypt's North Sinai brandished an Islamic State flag as they opened fire through doorways and windows, killing more than 300 worshippers, including two dozen children, officials said on Saturday. No group has claimed responsibility, but Egyptian forces are battling a stubborn Islamic State affiliate in the region, one of the surviving branches of the militant group after it suffered defeats by US-backed forces in Iraq and Syria. The assault on a mosque has stunned Egyptians, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government to tighten security at places of worship and key buildings, and call three days of mourning for the bloodiest attack in Egypt's modern history. State news agency MENA said the death toll had risen to 305, including 27 children, and 128 people were injured. Egypt`s public prosecutor's office, citing interviews with wounded survivors as part of its investigation, linked Islamic State militants, also known as Daesh, to the attack on the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El-Arish city. "The worshippers were taken by surprise by these elements," the prosecutor said in a statement. "They numbered between 25 and 30, carrying the Daesh flag and took up positions in front of the mosque door and its 12 windows with automatic rifles." Also read: Egypt mourns 305 victims of Sinai mosque attack The gunmen, some wearing masks and military-style uniforms, had arrived in jeeps, surrounded the mosque and opened fire inside, sending panicked worshippers scrambling over each other to escape the carnage. Witnesses had said gunmen set off a bomb at the end of Friday prayers and then opened fire as people tried to flee, shooting at ambulances and setting fire to cars to block roads. Images on state media showed bloodied victims and bodies covered in blankets inside the mosque. "When the shooting began everyone was running, and everyone was bumping into one another," Magdy Rezk, a wounded survivor, said from his hospital bed. "But I was able to make out masked men wearing military clothing." Utmost Force Striking a mosque would be a shift in tactics for the Sinai militants, who have previously attacked troops and police and more recently tried to spread their insurgency to the mainland by hitting Christian churches and pilgrims. Local sources said some of the worshippers were Sufis, whom groups such as Islamic State consider targets because they revere saints and shrines, which for Islamists is tantamount to idolatry. Islamic State has targeted Sufi and Shi`ite Muslims in other countries like Iraq. The jihadists in Egypt's Sinai have also attacked local tribes and their militias for working with the army and police. Sisi, a former armed forces commander who supporters see as a bulwark against Islamist militants, promised the "utmost force" against those responsible for Friday`s attack. Security has been a key reason for his supporters to back him, and he is expected to run for re-election next year. Egypt's military carried out air strikes and raids overnight to target hideouts and vehicles involved in the attack, the army said, without giving details on the number of militants. "What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism," Sisi said on Friday. The Sinai attack came as Sisi's government looks to draw more foreign investment and finish an IMF reform programme to help revive an economy that struggled through instability after the 2011 uprising ousted long-standing leader Hosni Mubarak. North Sinai, a mostly desert area stretching from the Suez Canal eastwards to the Gaza Strip and Israel, has long been a security headache for Egypt and is a strategic region for Cairo because of its sensitive borders. Local militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, once allied to al Qaeda, split from it and declared allegiance to Islamic State in 2014. But attacks in the Sinai worsened after 2013 when Sisi led the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood after mass protests against his rule.

Egypt mosque attack: Gunmen carried Islamic State flag

Seven persons, including three security personnel, were injured on Sunday when a roadside explosive device went off near their vehicle in Pakistan&#39;s northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said.

The explosive planted in a motorcycle parked along the road in Bannu district exploded as the vehicle of the security personnel came close to it, they said.

Seven persons, including three security personnel, were injured in the blast, they added.

The forces immediately cordoned off the area and started the search operation.

The explosive planted in a motorcycle parked along the road in Bannu district exploded as the vehicle of the security personnel came close to it, officials said.

Seven persons, including three security personnel, were injured on Sunday when a roadside explosive device went off near their vehicle in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said. The explosive planted in a motorcycle parked along the road in Bannu district exploded as the vehicle of the security personnel came close to it, they said. Seven persons, including three security personnel, were injured in the blast, they added. The forces immediately cordoned off the area and started the search operation.

3 security personnel among 7 injured in blast in northwest Pakistan

At least 22 people were injured after a home-made bomb partially exploded on a packed commuter train heading into London, engulfing a carriage in flames.

&quot;We now assess that this was a detonation of an improvised explosive device,&quot; Britain&#39;s top counter-terrorism officer Mark Rowley told reporters.

Rowley refused to disclose whether the suspected bomber had been on the train, saying it was a live investigation. 
 
The police said this was Britain&#39;s fifth terrorism-related incident this year.

Some suffered burns while others were injured in the stampede which resulted as the passengers on board the train fled in panic as fire erupted at Parsons Green underground station in West London.

The incident took place at 8.20 am&nbsp;(0720 GMT).

&quot;My thoughts are with those injured at Parsons Green and the emergency services who, once again, are responding swiftly and bravely to a suspected terrorist incident,&quot; British Prime Minister Theresa May said.&nbsp;

&quot;Everybody should keep calm and go about their lives in as normal a way as they possibly can,&quot; Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told BBC TV.

&nbsp;Passengers were seen &quot;badly burned&quot;, AFP reported.

A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that some passengers were &quot;really badly burned&quot; and their &quot;hair was coming off&quot;.

The police rushed to the spot.

Ambulances, fire engines were rushed to the &nbsp;Parsons Green station in West London. 
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We have a number of resources on scene at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParsonsGreen?src=hash">#ParsonsGreen</a> including <a href="https://twitter.com/LAS_HART">@LAS_HART</a>. More information will follow <a href="https://t.co/TciNtAa8dO">https://t.co/TciNtAa8dO</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZUWpHz7CTn">pic.twitter.com/ZUWpHz7CTn</a>
&mdash; London Ambulance (@Ldn_Ambulance) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ldn_Ambulance/status/908603264949727232">September 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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We have a number of resources and specialists officers in attendance at the incident at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParsonsGreen?src=hash">#ParsonsGreen</a> tube station <a href="https://t.co/GYOEv6kMua">https://t.co/GYOEv6kMua</a> <a href="https://t.co/bdiCr4hWcZ">pic.twitter.com/bdiCr4hWcZ</a>
&mdash; London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonFire/status/908608633793056770">September 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Police were called at approx. 8:20am to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParsonsGreen?src=hash">#ParsonsGreen</a> following reports of an incident on a tube train
&mdash; Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/metpoliceuk/status/908606950157570048">September 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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An injured woman reacts outside Parsons Green tube station in London. (Reuters)
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The police said this was Britain's fifth terrorism-related incident this year

At least 22 people were injured after a home-made bomb partially exploded on a packed commuter train heading into London, engulfing a carriage in flames. "We now assess that this was a detonation of an improvised explosive device," Britain's top counter-terrorism officer Mark Rowley told reporters. Rowley refused to disclose whether the suspected bomber had been on the train, saying it was a live investigation. The police said this was Britain's fifth terrorism-related incident this year. Some suffered burns while others were injured in the stampede which resulted as the passengers on board the train fled in panic as fire erupted at Parsons Green underground station in West London. The incident took place at 8.20 am (0720 GMT). "My thoughts are with those injured at Parsons Green and the emergency services who, once again, are responding swiftly and bravely to a suspected terrorist incident," British Prime Minister Theresa May said. "Everybody should keep calm and go about their lives in as normal a way as they possibly can," Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told BBC TV. Passengers were seen "badly burned", AFP reported. A Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene was quoted by the paper as saying that some passengers were "really badly burned" and their "hair was coming off". The police rushed to the spot. Ambulances, fire engines were rushed to the Parsons Green station in West London. We have a number of resources on scene at #ParsonsGreen including @LAS_HART. More information will follow https://t.co/TciNtAa8dO pic.twitter.com/ZUWpHz7CTn — London Ambulance (@Ldn_Ambulance) September 15, 2017 × We have a number of resources and specialists officers in attendance at the incident at #ParsonsGreen tube station https://t.co/GYOEv6kMua pic.twitter.com/bdiCr4hWcZ — London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) September 15, 2017 × Police were called at approx. 8:20am to #ParsonsGreen following reports of an incident on a tube train — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 15, 2017 × An injured woman reacts outside Parsons Green tube station in London. (Reuters) ×

London: At least 22 injured as improvised device explodes in underground train

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