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| Afghanistan |
| Worst attack since Taliban toppled kills 35 |
| 2007-06-17 |
| IN the deadliest attack in Afghanistan since the Taliban regime was toppled six years ago, a suicide bomber has killed 35 people and wounded dozens in Kabul. Most of the dead were instructors going to work at the city's police academy. Bystanders and five foreigners were also killed, according to police. President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack and said the country would continue to work towards reconstruction despite attacks from the "enemies of Afghanistan". The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast, which reduced a police bus to a skeleton of black metal. Body parts and human flesh were flung across a wide area. "We have got 35 people martyred and 52 wounded," Kabul province police chief Esmatullah Dauladzai told news agency AFP. "Those killed include mostly officers and civilians." Among the wounded were two Japanese, a Korean and two Pakistani nationals, he said. The injuries could not be immediately confirmed by the relevant embassies. "It is the work of terrorists, al-Qaeda and murderers of the people," said the city's criminal investigation department chief Alishah Paktiawal. Mr Dauladzai said investigations indicated the bombing was carried out by an individual wearing black clothes who was aboard the police bus. Claiming responsibility, the Taliban said the attacker had infiltrated the police on the orders of one of the group's most senior commanders, Jalaluddin Haqqani. "Under his direct orders, today he strapped explosives on his body and exploded himself inside the police bus," spokesman Saluhuddin Ayobi said. There had been rumours that Haqqani, who was a minister in the 1996-2001 Taliban government, had died, but Ayobi said he was "alive and leading the jihad (holy war) against the US forces and the puppet Kabul Government". The sirens of ambulances wailed across the city as the wounded were ferried to hospitals. 24 people were hospitalised, health ministry director general Salam Jalali said. The blast took place in a crowded part of the city centre. Two nearby minibuses were damaged and witnesses said bystanders may also have been hit. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #7 BBC filth describe the taliban as resurgent for killing a bunch of civilians. I hope someone starts bombing the bbc bastards. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2007-06-17 23:43 |
| #6 Good idea, writing the byline now... |
| Posted by: NYT Reporter 2007-06-17 19:35 |
| #5 a highly sophisticated attack from a resilient and increasingly organized resistance. Say that does sound like the NYT -- except you need to add "Go team!" |
| Posted by: regular joe 2007-06-17 12:14 |
| #4 Sounds like a highly sophisticated attack from a resilient and increasingly organized resistance. /nyt |
| Posted by: Shipman 2007-06-17 12:02 |
| #3 Sloppy security, And just exactly HOW did "an individual wearing black clothes who was aboard the police bus." GET aboard the police Bus? Hmmm? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-06-17 11:50 |
| #2 Is this the beginning of the Dreaded Srping Offensive? Only four more days 'till summer! |
| Posted by: Bobby 2007-06-17 11:35 |
| #1 A lot of muslims would be alive if they all adopted the Baywatch ensemble. |
| Posted by: ed 2007-06-17 10:36 |