A group of demonstrators were gathered to protest against the planned multi-million dollar power transmission line and demand it’s re-routing from Turkmenistan to Kabul though two provinces that have large Hazara population. A lot of security measures were taken and most of the city centre was sealed off with police patrolling via helicopters as well and the protest was without any violence until the bomb hit the rally.
Islamic State has taken responsibility for this attack.
The Hazara community approximately makes up 9 per cent of Afghanistan’s population and are the third largest minority in the country but have, for a long time suffered discrimination.
An afghan police convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber last month outside the city of Kabul killing 40 policemen. Taliban had claimed responsibility for that attack.
