A suicide attack targeting a group of Afghan lawmakers in northern Baghlan province killed at least 40 people Tuesday, including six lawmakers.
Among the dead are many children who had lined up to greet the delegation, as well as a well-known member of parliament and a former commerce minister, Sayed Mustafa Kazimi. Dozens of other people were wounded in one of the deadliest attacks since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. No one has claimed responsibility, and a Taliban spokesman denied any involvement in the attack.
The United States denounced the attack as "a despicable act of cowardice." The White House said in a statement, the incident reminds us who the enemy is -- extremists with evil in their hearts who target innocent Muslim men, women and children.