ISAF loses 3 soldiers to Kabul suicide attack

KABUL (Pajhwok): AT least three International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) soldiers were killed and several others wounded on Tuesday when their convoy was attacked by a suicide attacker in the capital Kabul, officials said.

An Afghan security official, whishing not to be named, told Pajhwok Afghan News the ISAF convoy was assaulted near its base in Kabul. Three foreign troops were killed and 15 civilians wounded in the powerful blast.

“We can confirm three International Security Assistance Force members died as a result of an enemy attack in Kabul. Currently, Afghan officials and ISAF are reviewing the incident,” the NATO-led force said, without giving the victims’ nationalities.

Deputy Interior Minister Gen. Ayub Salangi also verified the attack on his Twitter account but he did not provide any details about the casualties.

But eyewitnesses said three people were killed and a number of others wounded in the bombing that shattered glasses in nearby buildings. The area was soon cordoned off by security forces.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior condemned the attack as a cowardly act, saying that 13 civilians were injured and 17 vehicles were destroyed.

Ministry of Public Health spokesman Dr. Kanishka Turkistani said 16 wounded people, including policemen and civilians, were evacuated to the Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with the group’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying that two NATO vehicles were destroyed and a large number of foreign troops killed in the car-suicide bombing.

Denouncing the assault, the ISAF commander said: “I express my deep sympathies to the victims and their families.” Gen. John F. Campbell added: “This continued violence by the Taliban shows their disregard for the strong partnership built over the years between ISAF and the Afghan people.”

He said ISAF, in cooperation with local security forces, remained committed to protecting the Afghan people and holding accountable those responsible for such attacks.

mds/ra/mud

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