Four killed, over 100 wounded in Kabul truck bomb attack

KABUL – The Taliban on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a powerful truck bomb attack in Kabul that ripped through surrounding neighbourhoods, killing at least four people and wounding more than 100, in the latest assault on the Afghan capital.

In a grim message, the militants also vowed to carry out more attacks in the city in direct response to the recent appointment of former spymaster and anti-Taliban veteran Amrullah Saleh as interior minister.

Monday evening's explosion near the heavily fortified Green Village foreign compound shook Kabul and comes as diplomats ramp up efforts to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan, which by some estimates was the world's deadliest conflict in 2018.

So far, four people had been confirmed dead and more than 100 wounded, including 23 children, interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

There are fears the toll could rise.

Daesh commander among 28 terrorists killed in ... 07:04 PM | 13 Jan, 2019

KABUL – A senior commander of Daesh group, Khetab Emir, has been killed in a raid in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar ...

Three of the dead were members of the security forces and one was a civilian. Most of the wounded were civilians, who have long borne the brunt of the Afghan war.

Until recently some UN staff had lived and worked at the compound, which is protected by cement blast walls, but Danish said the area was now largely empty and "only a number of guards" were left.

Special police forces' units have been deployed to the site to check if there are more attackers.

Afghanistan's customs office and headquarters for the Independent Election Commission, which has previously been targeted by militants, are also nearby.

The explosion happened in the early evening when traffic is normally heavy.

Five G4S employees killed in Kabul compound attack 09:54 PM | 29 Nov, 2018

KABUL - British security firm G4S announced on Thursday that five of its employees including a Brit were killed while ...

The last assault on a foreign compound was in late November when a Taliban-claimed vehicle bomb exploded outside the compound of British security firm G4S, killing at least 10 people.

Five G4S employees were among the dead.

That was followed by a suicide and gun attack on a government compound in Kabul on December 24 that killed at least 43 people, making it one of the deadliest assaults on the city last year.

Death toll in Kabul attack rises to 43 10:00 AM | 25 Dec, 2018

KABUL – An hours-long gun and suicide attack on a Kabul government compound killed at least 43 people, the health ...

The latest bombing comes as US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad visits the region for further meetings aimed at bringing an end to the war in Afghanistan, which by some estimates was the world's deadliest conflict zone in 2018.

Khalilzad, who met Taliban representatives last month in Abu Dhabi, is travelling to Afghanistan as well as China, India and Pakistan on the trip lasting through January 21.

Last month's leaking of US President Donald Trump's plan to slash troop numbers in Afghanistan, however, has threatened to derail those efforts and alarmed many Afghans who fear a return to oppressive Taliban rule.

US ‘to withdraw’ about 7,000 troops from ... 10:15 AM | 21 Dec, 2018

NEW YORK – The Trump administration is withdrawing from Afghanistan roughly 7,000 troops -- around half of American ...

The recent flurry of activity to get the Taliban to the negotiating table has caused disquiet in Afghanistan, with the government feeling sidelined from the discussions.

The Taliban has repeatedly refused to talk to Kabul, which it sees as a US puppet and ineffective.

Afghan security advisor Hamdullah Mohib is touring the region for talks with key powers, including China.