Afghanistan suicide bombing death toll climbs to 36

The bomber targeted a gathering of fighters who were celebrating a three-day truce coinciding with the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

An Afghan official says the death toll from a suicide bombing at a gathering of Taliban fighters celebrating a holiday ceasefire has risen to 36.

A wounded man is brought by stretcher into a hospital in Jalalabad city, capital of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. (AP Photo)

Najibullah Kamawal, director of the health department in the eastern Nangarhar province, says another 65 people were wounded in Saturday’s attack.

The bomber targeted a gathering of fighters who were celebrating a three-day truce coinciding with the Eid al-Fitr holiday. No one immediately claimed the attack, but it was likely carried out by the Islamic State group, which was not included in the ceasefire and has clashed with the Taliban in the past.

After the attack, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a nine-day extension of the ceasefire. There was no immediate word from the Taliban on whether they would observe the extension.