Kabul bombings: Nowruz celebrations hit by deadly blasts

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightEPAImage caption The Islamic State group said it was behind the attacks At least six
people have died in three bomb explosions in the Afghan capital Kabul during Persian New Year celebrations, officials say
The remote-controlled explosions, which also injured 23 people, happened on Thursday morning.AFP news agency said the devices were placed in
the washroom of a mosque, a hospital and an electricity meter.The Islamic State group (IS), which has been behind a series of attacks in
Kabul, said it was responsible.More than 30 people were killed in a suicide attack during the Nowruz festival last year.Nowruz is the
ancient Persian New Year holiday but is deemed un-Islamic by many ultra-conservative Muslims
"As we celebrate this auspicious day to bind us together, our fellow citizens witnessed another devastating day in #Kabul," President Ashraf
Ghani wrote on Twitter."We lost peaceful citizens to a coward enemy that knows no bounds."AFP reported the blasts were near Kabul University
and the Karte Sakhi shrine
Negotiations between the US and Taliban insurgents aimed at ending the 17-year conflict in Afghanistan began in January.