Blasts, gunfire rock Afghan capital in twin suicide attacks

Published March 1, 2017
Afghan security forces respond to a suicide attack in Kabul. ─ AP
Afghan security forces respond to a suicide attack in Kabul. ─ AP

A pair of near-simultaneous Taliban suicide bombings struck the Afghan capital on Wednesday, targeting a police station and offices of the country's intelligence agency and killing at least three people and injuring nearly 50, officials said.

Smoke rises from an Afghan police district headquarters building after a suicide car bomb attack as a gun battle between Taliban and Afghan security forces continues in Kabul on March 1, 2017. ─ AFP
Smoke rises from an Afghan police district headquarters building after a suicide car bomb attack as a gun battle between Taliban and Afghan security forces continues in Kabul on March 1, 2017. ─ AFP

In the police station attack, a suicide car bomber rammed his car into the gates of the station in western Kabul.

Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said the explosion was followed by a gun battle between police and an unknown number of attackers.

In the second attack, a bomber on foot detonated his explosives outside the offices of the intelligence service in eastern Kabul.

Ismail Kawasi, spokesman for the public health ministry said that at least three people were killed in both attacks. Mohammad Saber Nasim, head of a Kabul hospital, said nearly 50 wounded were brought to the hospital.

In a message to media, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for both attacks.

It was not immediately clear how many gunmen were involved in the police station attack.

"We were in the dining room, eating lunch when a loud explosion happened. I couldn't see anything for a while," said Manizha, a policewoman who like many women in Afghanistan uses only one name.

She said she managed to escape from the compound as the gunbattle continued inside.

US soldiers and Afghan security forces arrive at the site of a suicide car bombing that targeted an Afghan police district headquarters building in Kabul on March 1, 2017. ─ AFP
US soldiers and Afghan security forces arrive at the site of a suicide car bombing that targeted an Afghan police district headquarters building in Kabul on March 1, 2017. ─ AFP

Thick black smoke rose above the police complex, and several rounds of small-arms fire and subsequent explosions were heard from inside the compound, according to Mohammad Naser, a shopkeeper who has a store nearby. Dozens of windows were shattered on surrounding houses and shops, he added.

The compound includes Kabul's so-called Sixth Police Station and is located next to the country's military school, which might have been the original target, along with cadets attending classes there.

Hours later, Sadiq Muradi of the Kabul police chief's office, said the gunbattle had ended and that security forces were carrying out a clean-up operation following the attack.

Danish, the ministry deputy spokesman, said that in the second attack, which took place in eastern Kabul when a suicide bomber on foot targeted the office of the national intelligence service, two people were wounded.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued a statement condemning the attacks, saying that "terrorists and their alien masters once again tried to create an atmosphere of terror and fear in Kabul."

Ghani linked the attacks to the recent death of a senior Taliban commander, known as Mullah Salaam, in northeastern Kunduz province and claimed that insurgents are trying to attack urban centres to boost morale among their followers.

Meanwhile, the Taliban gained control Wednesday of local government headquarters in a district in northern Baghlan province, after almost three days of intense battles with Afghan security forces, according to local officials.

Abdul Satar Barez, the provincial governor, said he could not confirm that the whole district of Tala Wa Barfak has fallen to the Taliban but said a number of checkpoints have fallen to the insurgents amid clashes Wednesday.

A provincial security official said the security forces left their checkpoints and withdrew from the entire district, which is now in Taliban hands.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media.

Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, tweeted that their fighters have overrun the Tala Wa Barfak headquarters.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.