Afghan Intel Blames Pak’s ISI for Kabul Blast That Killed 80
Several buildings were damaged in the explosion.
- 80 people were killed after a massive explosion rocked Kabul on Wednesday
- Over 300 people were injured in the blast
Afghanistan’s Internal Affairs Ministry said it was a suicide car bomb attack
- The explosion occurred near the Indian Embassy in the Afghan capital
- The attack injured employees at German Embassy and killed one guard
- The diplomatic area houses many embassies and the Afghan Presidential Palace
Pakistan's ISI Helped Haqqani Network in Kabul Blast: Afghanistan
Afghanistan intelligence agency NDS claimed that Kabul blast was planned by the Haqqani Network with help from Pakistan's ISI. No terrorist group has claimed the attack yet.
India Calls Kabul Blast "Heinous and Reprehensible"
India strongly deplored the "heinous and reprehensible" terrorist strike in Kabul and extended all possible support to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.
In a strongly-worded statement, the external affairs ministry said the continuing violence even during the holy and pious month of Ramzan reflects the diabolical nature of the perpetrators and their supporters.
The ministry also said all staff members of the Indian embassy are safe in the explosion that took place in the close vicinity of the embassy premises.
India is ready to render any assistance to the government and the people of Afghanistan and all possible support to bring perpetrators of the attack to justice, it added.
Germany Will Not Carry Out Deportations After Afghan Blast
Germany will not carry out flights deporting rejected asylum seekers to Afghanistan in the next few days, a German official confirmed on Wednesday after an explosion killed at least 80 people in Kabul, but stressed the underlying policy remained.
Not Sure How the Attack Happened or Who Was the Target: Germany
The spokesperson for German Foreign Ministry said that they are still unsure if the attack was targeted at Germany.
Attack Injures German Embassy Employees
The employees of the German Embassy in Kabul were injured, and one Afghan guard was killed during the attack in Kabul.
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Twitter that the attack affected both the civilians and those who had come to Afghanistan to work.
Taliban Denies Responsibility
The Afghan Taliban denied responsibility for the vehicle blast attack that rocked the diplomatic area in Kabul.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied any involvement in the attack and condemned “any such untargeted attacks that caused civilian casualties,” reported Reuters.
Afghan President Ghani Condemns Attack
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, in a statement, said that terrorists do not spare innocent people, even during the holy month of Ramadan.
Afghanistan's CEO Condemns 'Terror' Attack
Chief Executive Officer of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah took to Twitter to condemn the “terror” attack in Kabul. He called for “destroying and uprooting” those behind the attack.
80 Dead, 350 Injured: Reports
Around 80 people have been killed and 350 people have been injured at Wazir Akbar Khan diplomatic area in Kabul, reported Reuters.
The Afghanistan Health Ministry has said that the injured have been taken to various hospitals for treatment, and that the causality count may rise.
According to AP, deputy spokesperson for Interior Ministry in Afghanistan Ismail Kawasi said the explosion was so heavy that more than 30 vehicles were either destroyed or damaged at the site of the attack. He also said that it was a suicide car bomb attack.
While no group has immediately claimed responsibility, the Taliban and the Islamic State group have been responsible for terror attacks in the Afghan capital in the past.
French Embassy Damaged
French minister Marielle de Sarnez said that the French embassy has been damaged in the Kabul blast attack. However, he added that there were no French victims in the blast till now, reported Reuters.
PM Modi Condemns Attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is currently on a four-country visit condemned the massive blast in Kabul’s diplomatic area. He tweeted that India would support Afghanistan in fighting all types of terrorism.
Indian Embassy Safe
Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj confirmed on Twitter that the Indian Embassy in Kabul was safe after the blast.
Sources told ANI that the Indian Embassy was about 1.5 km away from the site of blast. He added that it was a massive vehicle-borne improvised explosive device blast was not too far from the Indian Embassy.
The Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Manpreet Vohra said, “Buildings, including ours, suffered considerable breakages, but all our staff are safe.”
50 People Injured
According to Afghan officials 50 people have been injured or killed in the suicide car bombing in Kabul, reported AP. The injured have been taken to various hospitals. No causalities have been reported yet.
Blast Near Indian Embassy
A massive blast rocked the diplomatic area of Kabul on Wednesday. The explosion occurred at Wazir Akbar Khan area, near the Indian Embassy. The diplomatic area houses many foreign embassies and also the Presidential Palace.
Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson confirms the blast saying it took place around Zanbaq Square.
Several houses and buildings were damaged in the blast.
The Indian Embassy is reportedly safe, barring damages to the windows.
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