ISIS confirmed two of its terrorists targeted the march. The Sunni terror group considers Shiites to be apostates


At least 60 people were killed and 200 were wounded after an ISIS suicide bomber targeted a major protest in Kabul earlier today.

Thousands of members of the minority Shiite Hazara community were protesting over a proposed power line when the explosion went off.

Ambulances were struggling to reach the scene as authorities had overnight blocked key intersections with stacked shipping containers to prevent protesters from marching on the presidential palace.

Scroll down for video

Thousands of Hazara Shiite minority community members were protesting in Kabul when they were attacked

The explosion killed at least 20 people and injured scores of others during today's Kabul protest march

Survivors were treated at the scene and rushed away by ambulances amid chaotic scenes in the city

Thousands of minority Shiite Hazaras demonstrate in Kabul on shortly before the terrorist attack

Hudnreds of people were wounded after the two terrorists detonated their explosives amid the massive crowd

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack which has killed at least 60 people and injured more than 200 with further casualties expected

The powerful blasts ripped through the crowds maiming and killing dozens of people despite a heavy security presence

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack through their Aamaq online news agency.

The terror group claimed two of their jihadis detonated themselves in the middle of the marchers.

The Hazaras are Shiites, who ISIS view as apostates.

Earlier the Taliban had denied responsibility for the attack.

Protest organiser Jawad Naji said: ' I was in the crowd of protesters when a loud bang occurred nearby. Many people have been killed or injured -- I am in deep shock.'

Officials in Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's administration shared intelligence of the planned attack.

Spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri said: 'We knew that terrorists wanted to bring sectarianism to Kabul, and cause splits within our community.'

The demonstrators had gathered to demand that a multi-million-dollar power line pass through their electricity-starved province of Bamiyan, one of the most deprived areas of Afghanistan with a large Hazara population.

The 500-kilovolt TUTAP power line, which would connect the Central Asian nations of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan with electricity-hungry Afghanistan and Pakistan, was originally set to pass through the central province.

But the government re-routed it through the mountainous Salang pass north of Kabul, saying the shorter route would speed up the project and save millions of dollars.

Afghan men dig graves for victims of the twin suicide attack in Kabul as the city plunged into mourning

A relative of one of the victims weeps as Afghan men dig the graves for the 80 who were killed in the terror attacks

Thousands of demonstrators had gathered to demand that a multi-million-dollar power line pass through their electricity-starved province of Bamiyan, one of the most deprived areas of Afghanistan with a large Hazara population

The Shiite Hazaras wanted to be connected to a proposed powerline which will bypass their region leaving them without electricity

Thousands of people took to the streets despite warnings by Afghan officials that ISIS would want to attack the march

Health ministry spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kawoosi said: 'At least 20 people have been killed and another 160 others wounded, but these are initial figures from our hospitals and could change.'

Thousands of demonstrators had gathered to demand that a multi-million-dollar power line pass through their electricity-starved province of Bamiyan, one of the most deprived areas of Afghanistan with a large Hazara population.

Amnesty International said: 'The horrific attack on a group of peaceful protestors in Kabul demonstrates the utter disregard that armed groups have for human life.

'Such attacks are a reminder that the conflict in Afghanistan is not winding down, as some believe, but escalating, with consequences for the human rights situation in the country that should alarm us all.'

In a statement, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was 'deeply saddened' by the carnage, adding that the casualties included security officials.

He said: 'Peaceful protest is the right of every citizen, but opportunist terrorists infiltrated the crowds and carried out the attack, killing and injuring a number of citizens including some security forces.'

The protest march was largely peaceful before the explosion struck as the demonstrators sought to march on the presidential palace, waving flags and chanting slogans such as 'death to discrimination'.

The commander of U.S. and NATO armed forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, condemned the attack.

He said: 'Our condolences go out to those who are affected by today's attack. We strongly condemn the actions of Afghanistan's enemies of peace and remain firmly committed to supporting our Afghan partners and the National Unity Government.'

The United States has 9.800 troops in Afghanistan working with Afghan forces against the Taliban, Islamic State and other insurgent groups.