Pedram, Taqwa among 22 injured in Kabul mortar strike

KABUL member were among 22 people injured in a mortar attack on a gathering in Kabul on Thursday.

The gathering marking the 24th death anniversary of Abdul Ali Mazari was disrupted after several mortar shells fell close to the venue.

Several politicians, including ex-President Hamid Karzai, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah and former NSA Hanif Atmar and thousands of people attended the gathering.

Dr. Mayar, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health had so far been evacuated to hospitals from the scene.

Omaid Maisam, deputy spokesman to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said Sherin Mohsini, a lawmaker from Daikundi province, Abdul Latif Pedram, a presidential election candidate and Abdul Jabbar Taqwa, first deputy presidential candidate with Zalmai Rassoul, another presidential candidate, were among those wounded in the incident. Two drivers of the CEO were also injured in the strikes, he said.

Pedram, also head of Kangara-i-Milli political party, on his Facebook page said that he sustained slight injuries in the incident.

An official of Ferdaus Hosiptal in Kabul also confirmed to Pajhwok that Pedram was injured in the neck and discharged after his wounds were dressed.

The office of Hanif Atmar, another presidential candidate, in a statement said that Atmar escaped unharmed but his eight bodyguards were wounded in the incident. The source said all the wounded bodyguards were currently under treatment.

mds/ma