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Afghan suicide attack hits UK embassy car in Kabul | Afghan suicide attack hits UK embassy car in Kabul |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A suicide bomber has hit a UK embassy vehicle in the Afghan capital Kabul, with a British worker and an Afghan member of staff among those killed. | A suicide bomber has hit a UK embassy vehicle in the Afghan capital Kabul, with a British worker and an Afghan member of staff among those killed. |
The Briton who died was a member of the embassy security team, as was another UK national who was wounded. | The Briton who died was a member of the embassy security team, as was another UK national who was wounded. |
Three other Afghans were killed and more than 30 wounded in the attack, which the Taliban say they carried out. | Three other Afghans were killed and more than 30 wounded in the attack, which the Taliban say they carried out. |
Hours later, Taliban fighters staged an attack in the wealthy Kabul neighbourhood of Wazir Akbar Khan. | |
Witnesses described hearing several explosions and a gun battle before the area was secured by police. | |
Bodyguards belonging to Vice-President Abdul Rashid Dostum reportedly fought with the attackers. | |
Several embassies, foreign compounds and international agencies are located in the district. | |
It is not clear what the target of the second attack was. | |
The Taliban has been targeting foreigners in recent attacks. | The Taliban has been targeting foreigners in recent attacks. |
'Deeply saddened' | 'Deeply saddened' |
UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond condemned the attack on the UK vehicle as "appalling". | UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond condemned the attack on the UK vehicle as "appalling". |
The blast occurred on a busy road and was heard across eastern parts of the city. | The blast occurred on a busy road and was heard across eastern parts of the city. |
The British embassy four-wheel-drive was thrown on to its side when the suicide car bomber struck. Many other vehicles were destroyed. | The British embassy four-wheel-drive was thrown on to its side when the suicide car bomber struck. Many other vehicles were destroyed. |
Earlier Afghan officials said the bomber had been riding a motorcycle. | Earlier Afghan officials said the bomber had been riding a motorcycle. |
Mr Hammond said: "I am deeply saddened to confirm that a British national civilian security team member and an Afghan national working for the embassy were killed in the incident. A second British member of the security team was injured. | Mr Hammond said: "I am deeply saddened to confirm that a British national civilian security team member and an Afghan national working for the embassy were killed in the incident. A second British member of the security team was injured. |
"I condemn this appalling attack on innocent civilians supporting our diplomatic activity." | "I condemn this appalling attack on innocent civilians supporting our diplomatic activity." |
The attack comes three days after two US soldiers were killed in a bomb attack on Nato forces, also in eastern Kabul. | The attack comes three days after two US soldiers were killed in a bomb attack on Nato forces, also in eastern Kabul. |
President Ashraf Ghani, who came to power in September, has vowed to bring peace to the country after decades of conflict. | President Ashraf Ghani, who came to power in September, has vowed to bring peace to the country after decades of conflict. |
But the Taliban have stepped up attacks as most foreign combat troops prepare to leave Afghanistan next month. | But the Taliban have stepped up attacks as most foreign combat troops prepare to leave Afghanistan next month. |
About 12,000 Nato soldiers are expected to remain to train and advise Afghan security forces from 1 January. | About 12,000 Nato soldiers are expected to remain to train and advise Afghan security forces from 1 January. |
A separate US-led force will assist Afghan troops in some operations against the Taliban. The security pacts with Nato and the US are yet to be ratified by the Afghan upper house. | A separate US-led force will assist Afghan troops in some operations against the Taliban. The security pacts with Nato and the US are yet to be ratified by the Afghan upper house. |