Blast kills dozens at Afghan president’s rally

At least 24 people have been reportedly killed and more than 30 wounded in a bomb blast near an election rally held by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

According to International news channel, the blast killed 24 people and wounded 32 others in in Charikar, the capital of Parwan province, north of Kabul.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was about to start his speech when the incident occurred. Ashraf Ghani is reported to be safe and unharmed.

A spokesman for the provincial governor, says the blast was caused by an IED in a security vehicle at the entrance of the venue hosting the rally.

The casualties included children and there are fears the number of victims could rise.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s explosion in Charikar, the capital of Parwan province.

US President Donald Trump said he had called off a secret summit with the Taliban and Afghanistan’s leader, abruptly slamming the door on a year of diplomacy to end America’s longest war.

On Saturday, Trump said that he had planned unprecedented, albeit separate, talks with the two sides Sunday in Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, but that the Taliban’s persistent, grisly campaign of violence made them untrustworthy partners.

“Unbeknownst to almost everyone, the major Taliban leaders and, separately, the President of Afghanistan, were going to secretly meet with me at Camp David on Sunday,” Trump said in a tweet.

Afghanistan’s internationally recognized president, Ashraf Ghani, had been outspoken in his criticism of the emerging shape of the withdrawal agreement with the Taliban, who have refused to negotiate with his government.