Four Killed in Taliban Attack in Kabul

An Afghan police officer runs for cover after shootings and explosions in Kabul, May 24, 2013.

At least four people have been killed in a new Taliban attack in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.

Taliban militants, backed by a suicide bomber, attacked a United Nations compound Friday evening and set off several explosions. In the ensuing gunbattle with security forces, at least one policeman was killed.  Kabul's police chief, General Mohammad Ayub Salangi, told VOA three of the attackers also were killed. At least 10 other people were wounded.

The blasts shook a busy area of Kabul, sending a plume of smoke over the city and causing chaos. 

The general said the violence began when militants attacked a house next to the U.N. mission in Afghanistan. The Taliban said the target was a compound used by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

This was the second major attack in Kabul in a little more than a week. On May 16, a suicide car bombing killed 15 people, including six Americans and nine Afghan civilians. Two of the Americans were soldiers.

from VOA News
May 24, 2013
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ISAF condemns attack in Kabul

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The International Security Assistance Force strongly condemns the suicide and direct fire attack today near a National Directorate Security-run hospital and the headquarters of the Afghan Public Protection Force today. This is also an area where Non-Governmental Organizations and hotels are located.

"The insurgents have repeatedly shown little regard for innocent civilians and the future of Afghanistan as demonstrated by attacks such as these. Their actions fly in the face of their claim that they are looking to avoid civilian casualties," said General Joseph F. Dunford, the ISAF commander.

"I express my condolences to the victims and their families in today's attacks. I condemn in the strongest sense of the word the actions of the insurgents today. The attack, which was in close proximity to a children's hospital, shows the enemy's complete lack of morals and respect for human life," Dunford said.

"I also want to commend the professionalism of the Afghan security forces who responded to the incident. Their prompt and effective action saved the lives of other innocent Afghans and members of the international community," Dunford said.

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Posted in: Afghanistan, Central Intelligence Agency, Kabul, Suicide bomber, Taliban, United Nations