KABUL, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Repeated terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Afghanistan have spread a wave of fear among the war-weary Afghans.
In the latest such attack, at least 26 civilians, including several sportsmen and two journalists, were killed and 95 others wounded after a suicide bomb blast and ensuing car bombing targeted a sports gym in Dasht-i-Barchi neighborhood western of Kabul on Wednesday evening.
"The latest attacks against mosques, schools, shrines and civilians government offices and the last bomb blasts against a sports gym have proved that the terrorists are directly targeting civilians, killing and maiming the youth, elders, women and children," resident Mahmood Afshar told Xinhua.
"The terrorist attacks have caused huge panic among the people. They are afraid of going out for daily business or for taking part in ceremonies, elders are in the fear of going to mosques and children are afraid of going to schools," he said.
Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and journalist associations have condemned the deadly attack.
"This latest cynical act of terror targeting ordinary citizens of Kabul, along with first responders and journalists, is deeply shocking," Tadamichi Yamamoto, UN Secretary-General's special representative for Afghanistan said in a statement on Thursday.
"We join Afghans in expressing our revulsion at such a callous attack." he said.
Dasht-i-Barchi neighborhood, mostly denominated by Shiite Muslim, has been hit by series of terror attacks within the past couple of years.
On Aug. 15, a suicide bomber disguised as a student detonated his explosive jacket inside a large class at an educational center in Dasht-i-Barchi, killing 75 students and injuring over 70 others.
The victims were attending a class for getting tips for university entrance exam.
"The government must take urgent security measures to provide security for civilian targets such as government ministries, public places, mosques, and places where people gather in mass," Mohammad Anwar, resident of Dasht-i-Barchi, told Xinhua.
People are in fear of being targeted inside their offices, shops as well as on crowded streets public places, he said.
On Aug. 3, more than 40 worshipers were killed and nearly 80 injured after two suicide bombers struck a mosque during Friday prayers in Gardez city, capital of eastern Paktia province.
In June and July, at least 23 government workers were killed and 48 others wounded when two separate suicide bomb blasts targeted Employees of Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Dar-ul-Aman neighborhood.
"If the government and the people did not take action against attack on populated areas and civilian installation, the Taliban and Islamic State (IS) terrorist would inflect big casualties on civilians and would cause more big miseries to Afghan families," Mohammad Anwar went on to say.
Scores of civilians were killed and wounded in similar attacks against protesters on the roads, government offices, election centers as well as hospitals and health centers across the country.
More than 1,690 civilians were killed and over 3,430 others injured in conflict-related incidents in the first half of the year in the war-torn country, according to figures released by UNAMA.
