The attack in the Afghan capital targeted a minibus carrying Afghan security forces. — Photo by Reuters

KABUL: A suicide bomber on a motorbike killed at least two Afghan security personnel and wounded four in an attack near the country's parliament in Kabul on Wednesday, an Afghan government official said.

The attack in the Afghan capital targeted a minibus carrying Afghan security forces, said Ministry of Interior spokesman Zemari Bashary. He did not give more details.

Violence is at its worst in a near-decade long war against a Taliban-led insurgency.

But attacks in the Afghan capital have been relatively rare in the past year, particularly since a “ring of steel” was erected around the city before a parliamentary election in September.

Last month, two militants wearing suicide vests attacked a bus of Afghan army officers in Kabul, killing five and wounding nine. The Taliban claimed responsibility for that assault, the first major attack in the Afghan capital since May, when six foreign troops were killed by a large suicide car bomb.

Last week, a bomb place in a bag in downtown Kabul killed a policeman and wounded two civilians.

The Taliban are at their strongest since a US-led invasion ousted their government in 2001.

The insurgency has spread out of its traditional strongholds in the south and east over the past two years into once peaceful areas of the north and west. The north in particular has become a deadly new front in the war.

Opinion

Editorial

Dubai properties
Updated 16 May, 2024

Dubai properties

It is hoped that any investigation that is conducted will be fair and that no wrongdoing will be excused.
In good faith
16 May, 2024

In good faith

THE ‘P’ in PTI might as well stand for perplexing. After a constant yo-yoing around holding talks, the PTI has...
CTDs’ shortcomings
16 May, 2024

CTDs’ shortcomings

WHILE threats from terrorist groups need to be countered on the battlefield through military means, long-term ...
Reserved seats
Updated 15 May, 2024

Reserved seats

The ECP's decisions and actions clearly need to be reviewed in light of the country’s laws.
Secretive state
15 May, 2024

Secretive state

THERE is a fresh push by the state to stamp out all criticism by using the alibi of protecting national interests....
Plague of rape
15 May, 2024

Plague of rape

FLAWED narratives about women — from being weak and vulnerable to provocative and culpable — have led to...