By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA): Multiple magnetic bomb blasts and rocket attacks rocked the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday morning, killing at least eight people, officials confirmed.

According to the country’s Interior Ministry, at least eight people lost their lives and 31 others were injured when multiple rockets and magnetic bombs hit various parts of Kabul, mainly the downtown Shahr-e-Nau, Chehel Satoon, and Ahmad Shah Maina neighborhoods during the morning rush-hour.

Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said in a statement a total of 23 rockets were fired in the attacks.

The security forces located a mini-truck in the northern parts of the city from where the rockets were fired.

A Defense Ministry official was among those killed in the attacks, Firdos Faramarz, a police spokesman told Anadolu Agency.

A rocket also hit the Iranian embassy inside the highly guarded diplomatic enclave, the country’s diplomatic mission said in a statement.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, while the Taliban have rejected any involvement in the attacks.

The attacks causing widespread fears have been widely condemned.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani condemned the attacks and said the counter-terrorism strategy, recently backed by the UN Security Council, would help reach a political settlement and peace.​​​​​​​

The attacks were also condemned by the US, EU, Turkey, India, China, and Pakistan.

[Photo: Afghan security officials inspect the scene of magnetic bomb blasts and rocket attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan on November 21, 2020. At least 8 people were killed and 31 others wounded officials confirmed. Photographer: Haroon Sabawoon/AA]