ISAF condemns Kabul suicide bombing

KABUL, Afghanistan - The International Security Assistance Force condemns today's suicide attack in Kabul, which killed several innocent Afghan civilians. According to reports from Afghan security officials, who immediately arrived on scene to secure the area, the suicide attacker today was a teenaged youth. Attacks like these exploit vulnerable individuals, coercing them into committing horrible acts. Initial casualty reports indicate only Afghan civilians suffered injuries or died from the explosion.

"If these reports are true, by taking advantage of an impressionable child to carry out this attack, the insurgents display cowardice. Forcing underage youth to do their dirty work again proves the insurgency's despicable tactics. They are completely detached from Afghan society and the interests of the Afghan people who desire peace and stability in their country," said Brig. Gen. Günter Katz, ISAF spokesman.

"I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of any innocent civilians killed today as a result of this attack," Katz added.

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Teen suicide bomber kills six near NATO HQ in Kabul

today suicide attack scene in Kabul (pic from Ahmad Mukhtar @AhMukhtar)

A suicide teenage suicide bomber detonated explosives near the heavily barricaded NATO headquarters in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Saturday, killing six people, including child hawkers, as Afghanistan marked a public holiday, officials said.

The bomber, who was riding an explosives-laden motorcycle, blew himself up near the entrance of Camp Eggers, a NATO spokeswoman said, referring to a sprawling base that is home to 2,500 coalition trainers.

At least four civilians were killed and two more wounded, Kabul Police Chief Ayoub Salangi told Reuters.

The attack took place as government dignitaries assembled in Kabul to commemorate 11 years since the death of Ahmad Shah Massoud, an iconic anti-Taliban commander two days before Sept. 11.

The blast reverberated through Kabul’s diplomatic quarter, which is home to many Western embassies, shortly after First Vice President Mohammad Qasim Fahim finished an address to scores of dignitaries at an event mourning Massoud.

Afghan security forces sealed off the bomb site in front of NATO headquarters and close to the Italian embassy, an AFP reporter said.

“It was a suicide attack that killed six people and wounded five others,” interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told AFP.

A senior police official speaking off the record gave the same death toll.

“It was a suicide bombing carried out by a young boy. So far there are six dead and five wounded. Most of the victims are young children who gather around ISAF to sell small items to soldiers leaving or getting into the base,” he said.

General Ayub Salangi, the Kabul police chief, confirmed four deaths.

“A 16-year-old boy on foot, blew himself up killing four and wounding two, all civilians. There are some children among the dead and wounded,” he said.

A spokesman for NATO’s U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force confirmed only a blast and said that there had been no damage to ISAF headquarters or military casualties.

“We’re aware of a blast that occurred just outside ISAF headquarters in Kabul this morning,” U.S. Army Major Adam Wojack told AFP. “There are no ISAF casualties. The ISAF compound is secure,” he said.


By Al Arabiya With Agencies
Last Updated: Sat Sep 08, 2012 11:55 am (KSA) 08:55 am (GMT)

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• Large suicide blast near NATO's Afghanistan headquarters (rt.com)
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Sep. 08., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban improvised explosive device cell leader during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today.

The detained IED cell leader is believed to be responsible for the construction, movement and emplacement of explosives and roadside bombs throughout Nahr-e Saraj. In addition, the Taliban leader is suspected of directing specific attacks against Afghan and coalition convoys.

In the weeks prior to his arrest, the Taliban IED cell leader is believed to have conducted an attack that wounded several coalition security force members.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North

An Afghan and coalition security force destroyed a Taliban weapons cache during an operation in Sar-e Pul district, Sar-e Pul province, today. The security force uncovered multiple assault rifles and grenades, several kilograms of explosive material, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and multiple explosive components, including blasting caps, mine fuses, detonation cords and a rocket-propelled grenade booster. After determining the explosives were unstable and unsafe for transport, the security force destroyed the cache in place. The security force also detained numerous suspected insurgents as a result of this operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator in Kunduz district, Kunduz province, today. The IMU facilitator is suspected of operating throughout the region, providing money, ammunition and explosives to support insurgent activity.

Southwest
Afghan General Directorate Police Special Unit and coalition forces recovered a large amount of narcotics, weapons and explosives, including more than 240 kilograms of heroin and 300 kilograms of opium, during a three-day operation in Washir district, Helmand province that began Thursday. During the course of the operation, after being attacked by small arms fire from unknown insurgents, the combined force returned fire, killing numerous enemy fighters. Afterward, the combined force discovered a large cache containing multiple pressure plate IEDs and components, homemade explosives, rocket propelled grenades, small arms and ammunition, most of which was destroyed in place. Sales from narcotics are believed to fund insurgent operations throughout Afghanistan, according to coalition officials. A post-operational assessment determined no civilians were harmed during the engagement. In addition, no Afghan National Security Force or coalition casualties were sustained during the operation.

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