Tuesday January 30, 2018
Kabul (BNA) The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan declared a national day of mourning after an ambulance packed with explosives blew up in a crowded street near Jamhoriat hospital and the old building of the ministry of interior, killing 103 people.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the Saturday attack, which injured 235 people, including around 10 police officers. It comes a week after militants stormed Kabul Intercontinental hotel and killed scores in a 12-hour standoff.
The Taliban claimed credit for the assault, the third major attack in Afghanistan in one week. The attacker used an ambulance in getting through one security check post but was identified at the second post near Jamhoriat hospital. The attacker then blew the explosives up.
As the death toll from Saturday’s suicide bombing near the major hospital in capital Kabul continued to increase, condemnations from world’s powers and Afghan leaders started pouring in.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani strongly condemned Saturday’s deadly terrorist attack in Kabul and in southern Kandahar province and offered heartfelt condolences the families of those killed and prayed for quick recovery of the injured, a statement from the Presidential Palace said.
”The enemy of Afghanistan should know they are losing the war and Afghan security forces enjoy even greater support of the international community in the eradication of terrorism indiscriminately,” the statement quoted the president as saying.
The president made it clear that Afghanistan was fighting ‘an imposed war’ and “it is very much clear from where the terrorists are being equipped and provided sanctuaries.”
He said terrorists had been fighting for foreign interest and did not want to see a stable and prosperous Afghanistan.
Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah also denounced the attack and linked the recent surge in terrorist attacks to growing international pressures on terrorist networks.
The US, India, the United Kingdom (UK), Pakistan ¡ EU, UNAMA and NATO strongly condemned the suicide bombing involving an ambulance full of explosives.
US Ambassador John Bass also condemned the attack as senseless and cowardly. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. My government and I stand with the brave people of Afghanistan,” he said in a statement.
“US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the Kabul terrorist attack, which has been described some of the prominent American dailies as a massacre.”
President Trump was “aware” of the Kabul attack, a White House official said.
“It’s a Massacre,” said The New York Times. The Wall Street Journal also described it as a massacre.
India strongly condemned “the barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks” in Kabul that targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment. “This follows the cowardly terror attack on the children and civilians in Jalalabad on 24 January.” Indian Foreign Affairs Ministry said “there can be no justification for such reprehensible attacks. The perpetrators of these attacks and their supporters should be brought to justice.” The ministry said India stood in solidarity with the government and the people of Afghanistan “at this difficult time of mindless violence and terror imposed on them.”
“We convey our heartfelt condolences to the next of kins of victims of these terror attacks and pray for speedy recovery to those injured. India stands ready to extend all possible assistance, including for treatment of those injured.”
Pakistan also condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this reprehensible act. In a tweet today, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said terrorism “is not the way forward.”
Meanwhile, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in a statement condemned the attack. “Appalled by the barbaric attack in Kabul, I strongly condemn this terrorist act. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Afghan people. #NATO stands with Afghanistan in our common fight against terrorism.”
Afghan National Security advisor Hanif Atmar tweeted: “Sadly terrorists once again proven their animosity towards the Afghan people and targeted civilians and patients in front of hospital.”
He added: “I strongly condemn this heinous and brutal attack. My heartfelt thoughts are with the families of the martyred and prayers for quickest recovery of the injured.”
For the third time in under a week, civilians in Afghanistan have been the target of terrible terrorist attacks. My thoughts and the thoughts of citizens of the whole European Union are with the Afghan people after today’s attack in Kabul. We mourn those whose lives were lost, send our condolences to the families and friends affected, and wish a quick recovery to the injured. Said High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini. On behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan, I unequivocally condemn today’s attack in Kabul city in which scores of civilians were killed or injured. Said Tadamichi Yamamoto is the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The facts in this incident are clear. The explosion occurred near a High Peace Council facility in a civilian-populated area of Kabul. While the Taliban claim suggested the purpose of the attack was to target police, a massive vehicle bomb in a densely populated area could not reasonably be expected to leave civilians unharmed. He added.
Lailuma Noori
