A suicide bombing in Afghanistan's Jalalabad city on Sunday claimed the lives of 19 people and left 20 others injured.
Among the deceased were 17 Sikhs and Hindus, including Avtar Singh Khalsa who was the only Sikh contesting for the upcoming Parliamentary elections in October.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack but has provided no proof to support the claim.
The attack has been severely condemned by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
"We strongly condemn the terror attacks in Afghanistan yesterday. They are an attack on Afghanistan's multicultural fabric. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon.
India stands ready to assist the Afghanistan government in this sad hour," PM Modi tweeted.
Reportedly, the convoy was on their way to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani who was visiting the region when the bomber detonated the explosives.
(Pic: NDTV)
