KABUL, Afghanistan — Kabul was plunged into mourning Sunday after the deadliest attack for 15 years killed 80 people and left hundreds maimed, reigniting concern that the Islamic State group was seeking to expand its foothold in Afghanistan. The bombings, which killed at least 80 people and wounded 231, mark the deadliest single attack in Kabul since the Taliban were toppled from power in a 2001 US-led invasion, the interior ministry said. The Taliban, who are in the middle of their annual summer offensive and are more powerful than IS, strongly denied any involvement in Saturday’s attack. The National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s main intelligence agency, said the attack was masterminded by Abu Ali, an IS commander in Nangarhar’s volatile Achin district. The wounded overwhelmed city hospitals, with reports of blood shortages and urgent appeals for donors swirling on social media.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 24, 2016 09:00 UTC