This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36874570

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Kabul blast hits Hazara protest - '29 dead and scores hurt' Kabul explosion: Islamic State 'admits attack on Hazara protest'
(about 1 hour later)
An explosion has ripped through a protest march in the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least 29 people and wounding more than 100, officials say. So-called Islamic State has said it was behind an attack on a protest march in the Afghan capital, Kabul, that killed at least 61 people and wounded 200.
The blast hit Deh Mazang square as thousands of people from the Hazara minority marched to demand changes to the route of a planned power line. The IS-linked Amaq news agency said two fighters "detonated explosive belts at a gathering of Shia" in Kabul.
They are angry that the route bypasses areas with large Hazara populations. The attack in Deh Mazang square targeted thousands from the Shia Hazara minority who were protesting over a new power line, saying its route bypasses provinces where many of them live.
The cause of the blast is unclear, although TV channel Tolo cited reports that a suicide bomber was behind it. The Taliban have condemned the attack.
No-one has yet said they carried out the attack. Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujaheed sent an e-mail to the media saying they were not behind it.
Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujaheed sent an email to media condemning the attack and saying they were not behind it. A freelance journalist working for BBC Afghan said blood and body parts were everywhere, with debris strewn around.
'Death to discrimination''Death to discrimination'
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was "deeply saddened", adding: "Peaceful protest is the right of every citizen, but opportunist terrorists infiltrated the crowds and carried out the attack, killing and injuring a number of citizens including some security forces."Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was "deeply saddened", adding: "Peaceful protest is the right of every citizen, but opportunist terrorists infiltrated the crowds and carried out the attack, killing and injuring a number of citizens including some security forces."
A freelance journalist working for BBC Afghan said blood and body parts were everywhere, with debris strewn around.
What is behind the power line protest?What is behind the power line protest?
Islamic State group: The full story
A large part of Kabul's city centre had been sealed off for the protest march.A large part of Kabul's city centre had been sealed off for the protest march.
The demonstrators had waved banners and chanted "death to discrimination", angry that the 500kV power transmission line from Turkmenistan to Kabul would not pass through Bamyan and Wardak provinces, which have large Hazara populations.The demonstrators had waved banners and chanted "death to discrimination", angry that the 500kV power transmission line from Turkmenistan to Kabul would not pass through Bamyan and Wardak provinces, which have large Hazara populations.
The Hazaras - mostly Shia Muslims - make up the third largest group in Afghanistan. They live mainly in the centre of the country.The Hazaras - mostly Shia Muslims - make up the third largest group in Afghanistan. They live mainly in the centre of the country.
They complain of persistent discrimination, especially during Taliban rule in the late 1990s, when many of them fled to Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan.They complain of persistent discrimination, especially during Taliban rule in the late 1990s, when many of them fled to Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan.
Who are the Hazaras?Who are the Hazaras?