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Kabul: double suicide bombing kills dozens in Afghan capital Dozens dead in Kabul and Kandahar suicide bombings
(about 4 hours later)
At least 25 people have died in a coordinated double suicide bombing that hit central Kabul on Monday morning. At least 36 people have died in Afghanistan after a coordinated double suicide bombing in Kabul claimed by Islamic State and a separate suicide car attack aimed at a Nato convoy in Kandahar province.
Six journalists, including a camera operator for a local TV station and an Agence France-Presse photographer, were among those killed after the second bomber blew himself up among the rescue workers and reporters who had rushed to the scene of the first blast. A suicide attacker riding a motorbike blew himself up at about 8am local time among students in Shash Darak neighbourhood, central Kabul, according to the state-run Bakhar news agency.
At least 45 people were wounded in the attacks, the police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai said. Four police officers were among those killed. The first suicide bomber was on a motorbike, he added. A second bomber, posing as a journalist, struck within 20 minutes as media workers went to the area near the Nato headquarters and the US embassy to report on the first blast. At least 25 people were killed and 45 injured as the result of the twin attacks in the capital.
The attack was the latest in a string of deadly large-scale bombings and assaults that have struck the capital and other Afghan cities so far this year. Islamic State claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack on its Amaq propaganda news agency. Nine media staff, including a camera operator for a local TV station and an Agence France-Presse (AFP) photographer, were among those killed. Four police officers also died.
The blasts took place in the central Shash Darak area, where the Nato headquarters and a number of foreign embassies are based. Hours later, a suicide bomber targeting a Nato convoy in southern Kandahar province killed 11 children at a religious school located near where the explosion occurred. At least 16 people, including five Romanian Nato soldiers, nine civilians and two police officers, were also wounded.
AFP reported that its chief photographer in Kabul, Shah Marai, was among those killed. Sediqullah Tawhidi, an official from the Afghan Journalist Safety Committee, said a camera operator from the local Tolo TV was killed. The attacks in Kabul proved particularly deadly for journalists. AFP reported that its chief photographer in Kabul, Shah Marai, was among those killed. Sediqullah Tawhidi, an official from the Afghan Journalist Safety Committee, said a camera operator from the local network Tolo TV was killed.
Police said the second attacker held a camera and was pretending to be a journalist when he detonated his explosives. An Isis suicide attacker blows himself up near a crowd of police and protesters, killing at least 13 people - all police - and wounding 25.
Security officials have warned of the risk of increased attacks ahead of parliamentary elections planned for October. Taliban gunmen storm the hotel, opening fire on guests and staff and taking dozens hostage. After an overnight siege, the official death toll is put at 25. Other sources claim more than 40 died, of whom 15 are foreigners.
The local Islamic State group affiliate and the more firmly established Taliban carry out regular attacks around the country, with the Taliban usually targeting the government and security forces and Isis targeting members of the Shia Muslim minority, whom the affiliate perceives as apostates. An explosives-packed ambulance blows up in a crowded street where several high-profile organisations including the EU have offices, killing more than 100 people and wounding hundreds. The attack is claimed by the Taliban.
The attacks underscore the struggles Afghan security forces have faced to rein in the militant groups since the US and Nato concluded their combat mission at the end of 2014. At least 11 soldiers killed in a pre-dawn attack on a military compound claimed by Isis.
A suicide bomber on foot blows himself up in a Shia area, killing at least nine people and wounding 18. The attack, claimed by Isis, takes place near a gathering to mark the 23rd anniversary of the death of Abdul Ali Mazari - a prominent former leader of the mainly Shia Hazara ethnic community who was killed by the Taliban.
More than 30 people, mostly teenagers, are killed when a suicide bomber on foot blows himself up as Afghans celebrate the Persian new year holiday. Isis claims responsibility.
An Isis bomber kills 60 people and injures 129, all civilians, outside a voter registration centre amid preparations for legislative elections in October.
Dozens die, including an AFP photographer Shah Marai and other journalists, when two suicide blasts rip through Kabul in an attack claimed by Isis. Agence France-Presse
“This is a devastating blow, for the brave staff of our close-knit Kabul bureau and the entire agency,” AFP’s global news director, Michèle Léridon, said.
“We can only honour the strength, courage, and generosity of a photographer who covered often traumatic, horrific events with sensitivity and consummate professionalism.”
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said three of its journalists were also killed. They were named as Abadullah Hananzai, Maharram Durrani and Sabawoon Kakar, a photojournalist and camera operator, who was wounded at the scene but died in hospital, according to RFE/RL.
“This terrorist attack is a war crime and an organised attack on the Afghan media,” read a statement by the Afghanistan Federation of Journalists, demanding an investigation by the UN.
“The attack in the heart of Kabul and in the Green Zone indicates a serious lack of security by the government.”
Saifulrahman Ayar, a journalist who was at the scene, told the Guardian the second attacker was disguised as a journalist and held a camera.
“I was near the blast site when the office called me and [asked me] to cover the incident. It was minutes after the first explosion, I was metres away when the second explosion occurred among the journalists,” he said.
“The second attacker was acting like a journalist and had a camera. I am injured in my leg, I was confused, then I saw that I’m in hospital. I told them to let me go because I want to cover the attack on my colleagues”.
Elyas Mousavi, a journalist, was crossing the checkpoint to report on the attack when the second attacker blew himself up. “After the second explosion no one could near the site, because they were afraid of another explosion. And then ambulances arrived. I saw also some security personal dead,” he told the Guardian.
Shahhussain Murtazawi, spokesperson for the Afghan presidency, condemned the twin attacks, saying that “the criminal terrorists, once again hit Kabul and Nangarhar and committed crimes against humanity, during which a number of civilians have been martyred and injured”.
The US embassy in Kabul also condemned the double suicide bombing. “Where media are in danger, all other human rights are under greater threat,” it said.
The attack was the latest in a string of deadly large-scale bombings and assaults that have struck the capital and other Afghan cities this year. Isis claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack on its Amaq propaganda news agency.
The Afghan affiliate of the militant group, Khorasan Province, posted an urgent statement on an Isis-affiliate website saying two of its martyrdom seekers carried out the double bombing targeting the headquarters of the “renegade” Afghan intelligence services in Kabul.
Security officials have warned of the risk of increased attacks in the run-up to parliamentary elections planned for October. The attacks underscore the struggles Afghan security forces have faced to rein in the militant groups since the US and Nato concluded their combat mission at the end of 2014.
Last week, an Isis suicide bomber attacked a voter registration centre in Kabul, killing 60 people and wounding at least 130. There were 22 women and eight children among the fatalities.Last week, an Isis suicide bomber attacked a voter registration centre in Kabul, killing 60 people and wounding at least 130. There were 22 women and eight children among the fatalities.
In March, an Isis suicide bomber targeted a Shia shrine in Kabul where people had gathered to celebrate the Persian new year. That attack killed 31 and wounded 65.In March, an Isis suicide bomber targeted a Shia shrine in Kabul where people had gathered to celebrate the Persian new year. That attack killed 31 and wounded 65.
Associated Press in Kabul contributed to this reportAssociated Press in Kabul contributed to this report
AfghanistanAfghanistan
South and Central AsiaSouth and Central Asia
Islamic State
Nato
Journalist safety
newsnews
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