Bombings appear to target journalists

At least 25 people, including nine journalists were confirmed dead, and 45 others were injured, in twin suicide bombings that rocked Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, on Monday. The bombings were claimed by the Islamic State group.

"When the explosion happened, everywhere was covered with dust and fire — it was a horrific scene," said Jawed Ghulam Sakhi, a 28-year-old taxi driver.

"Body parts were thrown about on the street and the pavement. I saw journalists covered with blood. This time they targeted the media."

It was the deadliest attack on civilians in Kabul since the beginning of the Afghan New Year on March 21.

Police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said a suicide bomber riding an explosives-laden motorbike set off a blast in Shash Darak, killing himself and a few others. The area is home to the NATO headquarters and a number of embassies and foreign offices, as well as the Afghan intelligence service.

When journalists and others rushed to the site on foot, another terrorist — himself disguised as a journalist and carrying a camera loaded with explosives — touched off the second bomb, which killed more than a dozen people, including journalists.

Stanikzai said the attacker, who also died, had clearly targeted the journalists. Four police officers were also among the dead.

The Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State, known as Khorasan Province, posted a statement on an IS-affiliated website saying that two of its members had carried out the double bombings, which targeted the headquarters of the "renegade" Afghan intelligence services in Kabul, according to a report by The Associated Press.

The first blast occurred at around 8 am. The second came 30 minutes later, according to officials and eyewitnesses quoted by Xinhua News Agency .

The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, an Afghan media watchdog, said eight local journalists died in the attacks, and six others were wounded. It strongly condemned all attacks against journalists.

Agence France-Presse confirmed that its chief photographer in Kabul, Shah Marai, was among those killed. Two journalists from local 1TV, one from Tolo news and one from Jahan TV also died.

Xinhua, AP and AFP contributed to this story.