Kabul lockdown: 18 dead as explosions rock protester's funeral

At least 18 people were killed and dozens wounded in three back-to-back explosions which tore through a cemetery in Khair Khana area of Kabul on Saturday during Senator Ezadyar's son was about to be buried.

Alam Ezadyar is deputy speaker for the upper house of the Afghanistan Parliament.

Officials confirmed the toll. However they were not able to confirm the type of explosive, Tolo reported.

Ezadyar's son was killed during a mass rally in Kabul on Friday after security forces opened fire on demonstrators.

Security forces have cordoned off the cemetery area and have advised people to avoid the area.

Kabul city was lockdown today with armed checkpoints and armoured vehicles patrolling the streets to prevent a repeat of protests that spiralled into street clashes, leaving at least four people dead.

Hundreds of demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down clashed with police yesterday, prompting officials to beat them back with live rounds in the air, tear gas and water cannon.

The protesters were voicing anger over a truck bombing on Wednesday in Kabul's diplomatic quarter that killed 90 people and wounded hundreds, the deadliest attack in the city since 2001.

Authorities have sealed off roads in the centre of the city, citing the threat of new attacks on large gatherings of people.

"We have intelligence reports that our enemies are trying again to carry out attacks on gatherings and demonstrations," said Kabul garrison commander Gul Nabi Ahmadzai.

"We hope that people will stay away from protests."
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