Taliban 'Condemns' Deadly Afghan Shrine Attacks

The Taliban issued a statement condemning deadly attacks on two shrines in Afghanistan that killed at least 58 people on Tuesday, blaming the bombings on the “invading enemy”.

No group has claimed responsibility for the strikes in the Afghan capital and northern Mazar-i-Sharif, but most previous major attacks have been blamed on the insurgents battling the Afghan government and its foreign backers.

Calling the attacks “inhumane and un-Islamic acts", the statement signed by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid and emailed to Agence France Presse, blamed them on "the invading enemy who faces total defeat in the battle against the mujahidin".

They "are now resorting to such brutal acts to create terror, distrust and hatred among Afghans so they can have an excuse to stay here for longer..." added the statement.