Jalalabad(Afghanistan): The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS have claimed responsibility of the dastardly attack in an election campaign rally in eastern Nangarhar Province on Tuesday killing 13 and wounding dozens.

Earlier, Attaullah Khoyani, a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, said the attacker targeted a campaign rally held by Nasir Momand, a parliamentary candidate in the Kama district.

“Most of the people killed or wounded are elders who had gathered for the campaign rally,” Khoyani said.

Momand is running as an independent candidate in Afghanistan’s parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for October 20.

More than 2,500 candidates will contest the ballot, which is seen as a test run for next year’s presidential election. But preparations for the vote have been in turmoil for months.

Five candidates have been already killed in separate attacks before the campaigning officially started, two in Kabul and one each in Nangarhar, southern Kandahar, and northern Parwan province.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has strongly condemned the deadly “terrorist attack”.

“We express our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and pray for early recovery of the injured,” the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said.

The foreign ministry added that the Pakistan government reiterates its strong condemnation of the terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expresses solidarity with the people and the government of Afghanistan in this hour of grief.

“We believe, such cowardly acts cannot deter the people of Afghanistan from exercising their democratic right to elect their representatives. Pakistan will continue supporting the Afghan people and the government for durable peace and security in the country.” (UNI)