KABUL - The spy service on Monday claimed the deadly Sunday’s suicide bombing in southeastern Paktika province had been carried out by the dreaded Haqqani Network.

The death toll from the bombing that struck a volleyball match has risen to 61, with more than 66 wounded, officials said.

The suicide bomber detonated his explosives as he mingled with the large crowd watching a volleyball match between the Yahyakhel and Yusufkhel districts as part of an inter-district volleyball tournament in Yahyakhel at around 4:30 pm.

However, Taliban or other militant groups have so far not come forward to claim credit for the massive attack.

However, the National Director of Security (NDS) in a statement said the Haqqani Network was behind the blast.

It said Qari Umar and Mullah Rahim alias Mulla Kabir of the terror network had planned the attack through Ismail, the bomber. “This un-Islamic act is carried out by the terrorist Haqqani Network,” the statement said. (Pajhwok)