Kabul, July 23 (IANS): At least 20 persons were killed and 170 others injured in Kabul when suicide bombers targeted a mass demonstration on Saturday.

The incident took place in Deh Mazang area where thousands of demonstrators had gathered for a sit-in protest against a planned power line project.

According to Tolo News, police said one suicide bomber detonated his explosives while the second person was unsuccessful in exploding his vest as it failed to explode. The third bomber was killed by security forces at the scene before he could detonate his vest.

According to eyewitnesses, several people suffered injuries and were taken to hospital.

President Ashraf Ghani has condemned the attack.

The demonstrators had gathered in a protest organised by the Enlightening Movement over the planned route of the 500kV power line project that the Afghanistan government intends to roll out. 

The project will see a new power line run from Turkmenistan through Salang to Kabul. The Enlightenment Movement want the line to be routed through Bamiyan to Kabul, Tolo News reported.