2nd LD Writethru: 12 killed, 13 wounded in Afghan blast targeting tribal leader

About 12 people were killed and 13 others wounded after a suicide bombing rocked near the house of a tribal elder in eastern Afghan town of Jalalabad on Sunday morning, sources said.

"A suicide bomber detonated his explosive jacket at the gate of the house of Malik Usman Shinwari, a pro-government elder, at around 10:40 a.m. (local time). The blast caused 12 killed, including the attacker, and injured 13 others," a security source told Xinhua, citing the latest information by security authorities.

A tribal elders' meeting was underway at the attacked building, according to the source.

The casualties were shifted into different hospitals in the city, capital of eastern Nangarhar province, the source added.

Unofficial sources said leader Shinwari and several of his security guards were among the injured.

Obidullah Shinwari, son of the leader and a member of provincial council, was also present at the scene when the attack took place.

Attaullah Khogyani, provincial government spokesman, also confirmed the causalities. Khogyani earlier told Xinhua that three people were killed and 15 injured in the attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

The Taliban militant group has intensified attacks across the country since the start of this year, which coincides with the potential resumption of government-Taliban peace talks.

On Wednesday, nine people were killed and 11 others injured during a group attack by three gunmen near the Pakistani Consulate office in the city and the Islamic State (IS) militants claimed responsibility for that attack. Endit