1st LD Writethru: Suicide attack kills 12, wounds 16 in Afghan eastern Jalalabad city

KABUL, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Up to 12 people have been confirmed dead and 16 others injured after a suicide attacker detonated his explosive device among mourners in a funeral n Jalalabad city, the capital of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Sunday, a local official said.

"A terrorist blew himself up in the funeral ceremony of former district governor of Haska Mina district this afternoon outside Jalalabad city, killing 12 mourners and injuring 16 others," the official who declined to be named told Xinhua.

Meantime, spokesman for Nangarhar provincial government, Attaullah Khogiani has confirmed that initial reports confirmed the death of six people and injury of 12 others.

However, Najibullah who serves as doctor in Jalalabad civilian hospital has confirmed that 12 dead bodies and 14 injured persons have been taken to the hospital.

No one has claimed of responsibility for the attack. However, an official on the condition of anonymity pointed finger at the hardliner Islamic State (IS) group, saying IS militants could be behind the deadly attack to terrorize people. Enditem