Blasts rock Afghanistan's Jalalabad, several killed

(13 May 2019) Three explosions ripped through the Afghan provincial city of Jalalabad on Monday, killing four people and wounding another 20. All of the casualties were believed to be civilians, said Nangarhar's governor, Shah Mahmood Miakhail. No one claimed responsibility for the attack which came as the United Nations expressed grave concerns about the increase in violence around the country during the first week Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. Both the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate operate in Nangarhar province, of which Jalalabad is the capital. Over the past year, the US has stepped up its air strikes in the area to try to dislodge IS fighters. The explosions took place in Jalalabad's city centre, but the target was not immediately clear. In recent months, the Taliban have stepped up their attacks, inflicting staggering casualties on Afghan forces, and now hold sway over half the country. The US, meanwhile, has accelerated efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the 17-year war - America's longest conflict - and has pressed for direct talks between the Taliban and Kabul. The Taliban have rejected an offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's government for a cease-fire during Ramadan. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...