8 killed, 20 injured in attack on defence minister house

KABUL (Pajhwok): An overnight group attack near the residence of Defence Minister Gen. Besmillah Khan Mohammadi ended on Wednesday with the killing of four assailants.

Mirwais Stanikzai, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, told Pajhwok Afghan News the attack took place in Sherpur area on Tuesday evening.

He said a car bombing enabled the attackers to enter a house in the posh locality. The assailants traded fire with the security forces from there.

Stanikzai said four attackers were killed in the clash with the police special force unit for four hours.

He said four people were killed and 20 more wounded in the massive bombing.

Police spokesman Firdos Faramarz said police rescued 30 civilians and prevented more casualties.

On the other hand, the Kabul Emergency Hospital confirmed receiving four bodies and 11 injured people from the area.

After the attack, the defence minister said in a video clip he and his family members were unhurt but a few security guards were injured.

Mohammadi added he was away from home at the time of the attack, which came amid heightened Taliban-linked violence across the country.

On the other hand, the Presidential Palace said in a statement: “The Taliban, in continuation of their crimes, martyred a number of our compatriots in a terrorist attack yesterday evening in the Sherpur area of Kabul in order to silence the voice of Allah Akbar.”

President Ghani strongly condemned the attack, saying the Taliban’s war amounted to sedition and corruption. According to divine guidance, it was necessary to stand up against their crimes and in support of the security forces, he said.

Ghani appreciated the courage of the security and defence forces in their prompt and timely action in defence of the people and in response to the holy voice of Allah.

He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and called on the relevant authorities to reach out to those injured in the attack and the victim’s families.

Last night, thousands of Afghans chanted “Allah-o-Akbar” in Kabul and other provinces, and the night before in Herat, declared their opposition to the Taliban.

In Kabul, thousands took to the streets around 9:00pm, with some chanting “Allah is Great”” from their rooftops and expressing their support for Afghanistan and cursing the enemy.

sa/mud