This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-south-asia-15031157
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Security tight for Burhanuddin Rabbani funeral in Kabul | Security tight for Burhanuddin Rabbani funeral in Kabul |
(40 minutes later) | |
The funeral of Afghanistan's peace talks chief Burhanuddin Rabbani, killed by a suicide bomber, is taking place in Kabul amid tight security. | The funeral of Afghanistan's peace talks chief Burhanuddin Rabbani, killed by a suicide bomber, is taking place in Kabul amid tight security. |
Thousands of mourners have gathered in the Afghan capital for the state funeral at the presidential palace. | Thousands of mourners have gathered in the Afghan capital for the state funeral at the presidential palace. |
Rabbani's body will later be buried on a hilltop overlooking his Kabul home. | Rabbani's body will later be buried on a hilltop overlooking his Kabul home. |
Rabbani, the chairman of the High Peace Council, was killed on Tuesday by a bomb hidden in a turban worn by a man claiming to be a Taliban envoy. | Rabbani, the chairman of the High Peace Council, was killed on Tuesday by a bomb hidden in a turban worn by a man claiming to be a Taliban envoy. |
Peace pledge | |
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is among those paying respects to Rabbani. | Afghan President Hamid Karzai is among those paying respects to Rabbani. |
Mr Karzai told the mourners he would continue with the peace process. | |
"The blood of the martyred and other martyrs of freedom requires us to continue our efforts until we reach peace and stability," he said. | |
"It is our responsibility to act against those who are enemies of peace." | |
Servicemen with caps and white gloves had carried the coffin, draped in the national flag, to a dais state outside the presidential palace. | |
Officials then lined up to pay individual tribute to Rabbani, bowing at the coffin. | |
Rabbani's son, Salahuddin, told mourners: "Today we are witnessing one of the biggest and saddest events of this important political time in the history of the world." | |
The capital's diplomatic zone is in security lockdown, amid fears insurgents could try to disrupt proceedings. | The capital's diplomatic zone is in security lockdown, amid fears insurgents could try to disrupt proceedings. |
Cars were banned from the area and residents and mourners were being searched. | Cars were banned from the area and residents and mourners were being searched. |
High Peace Council member Mohammad Ismail Qasimyar confirmed to Agence France-Presse that the president and other high-ranking officials were attending, but added: "I am not allowed to say if there will be any international officials in the ceremony as security is a problem." | High Peace Council member Mohammad Ismail Qasimyar confirmed to Agence France-Presse that the president and other high-ranking officials were attending, but added: "I am not allowed to say if there will be any international officials in the ceremony as security is a problem." |
The head of Kabul's criminal investigations unit, Mohammad Zahir, said: "We have taken extra measures by deploying thousands of policemen." | The head of Kabul's criminal investigations unit, Mohammad Zahir, said: "We have taken extra measures by deploying thousands of policemen." |
No group has said it carried out Rabbani's killing but Afghan intelligence officials say they believe it must have taken months to plan. | No group has said it carried out Rabbani's killing but Afghan intelligence officials say they believe it must have taken months to plan. |
The peace council had been in touch with a man purporting to represent the Taliban high command based in the Pakistani city of Quetta, and who said he would send a messenger to Kabul. | The peace council had been in touch with a man purporting to represent the Taliban high command based in the Pakistani city of Quetta, and who said he would send a messenger to Kabul. |
The peace council believed it was on the verge of a major breakthrough in peace talks with the Taliban, officials said, and Rabbani cut short a visit to Dubai to meet the envoys. | |
On Wednesday, the Taliban issued their first public statement on the killing, saying they did not want to comment. | On Wednesday, the Taliban issued their first public statement on the killing, saying they did not want to comment. |