Taliban claims deadly Kabul blast
- 12 years ago
The Afghanistan Taliban says it was behind the suicide car bomb attack in Kabul that claimed six lives just hours after the U.S. president ended a surprise visit.
At least six people have died.
Police said one was a Gurkha guard.
The other victims were passers-by, including a young girl.
A Taliban spokesman said the attack was in response to President Barack Obama's visit and the long-term strategic partnership deal he's signed with his Afghan counterpart.
Another 17 people have been wounded.
SOUNDBITE: WORKER AT MILITARY CAMP, JAMROD KHAN, SAYING (Pashto):
"I was showing my identification card in the gate to enter the camp when I heard a bang, then I was thrown against the wall as a result of the blast."
The attack on Wednesday came a year to the day since U.S. special forces killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in neighbouring Pakistan.
It's the latest in a series after the Taliban announced it had launched its usual spring offensive.
The group also said it had suspended tentative peace talks with the United States.
Such incidents still raise troubling questions over the readiness of Afghan forces to take over while the militants are still able to stage such high-profile attacks.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
At least six people have died.
Police said one was a Gurkha guard.
The other victims were passers-by, including a young girl.
A Taliban spokesman said the attack was in response to President Barack Obama's visit and the long-term strategic partnership deal he's signed with his Afghan counterpart.
Another 17 people have been wounded.
SOUNDBITE: WORKER AT MILITARY CAMP, JAMROD KHAN, SAYING (Pashto):
"I was showing my identification card in the gate to enter the camp when I heard a bang, then I was thrown against the wall as a result of the blast."
The attack on Wednesday came a year to the day since U.S. special forces killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in neighbouring Pakistan.
It's the latest in a series after the Taliban announced it had launched its usual spring offensive.
The group also said it had suspended tentative peace talks with the United States.
Such incidents still raise troubling questions over the readiness of Afghan forces to take over while the militants are still able to stage such high-profile attacks.
Paul Chapman, Reuters