Deadly Kabul bombing widely condemned

KABUL (Pajhwok): The explosion in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has been widely condemned.

Khalid Zadran, police spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the blast took place at around 4:00pm in front of the ministry, causing some fatalities.

Five civilians were killed and several others wounded in the blast, Zadran added.

But a statement from the Emergency Hospital’s Surgical Centre said it had received more than 40 injured after the explosion.

Former president Hamid Karzai slammed as a terrorist act the latest explosion in Kabul.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, ex-chief for reconciliation, tweeted: “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack, which resulted in the martyrdom and wounding of a number of our citizens.”

He wrote: “Such inhuman crimes are against all human and religious principles and standards and cannot be justified in any way.”

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), condemning the attack as deplorable, reaffirmed its support to Afghanistan in fighting all forms of terrorism and bringing perpetrators of terrorist acts.

The OIC believed for Afghanistan to regain political stability and security, any groups or individuals resorting to violence need to be relentlessly combated.

US Chargé d’Affaires Karen Decker also condemned the Wednesday bombing in a tweet.

“I condemn the attack in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs compound in Kabul and offer my condolences to the victims and the families of those who were brutally murdered.”

She added: “Need to know why/how this happened and what measures will be taken to prevent another attack. Afghan citizens and foreign guests alike need be able to count on effective security.”

Soon after the bombing, the Foreign Office in Islamabad said: “The government and people of Pakistan extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families.

“We stand in solidarity with our Afghan brothers and sisters in the fight against the scourge of terrorism.”

In a statement, the foreign ministry in Doha said it rejected violence and terrorism regardless of motives and reasons behind it.

The German embassy in Kabul also denounced the attack.

Hugo Chartres, the chargé d'affaires of the British embassy in Afghanistan, tweeted that his country condemned such "senseless" and "indiscriminate" acts of violence.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited the injured at the Emergency Hospital and stressed special attention to their treatment.

He also provided cash assistance for those wounded. Most of the injured are said to be workers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a statement, extended its condolences to the victims’ families

“UNAMA condemns today's attack outside the Foreign Ministry in Kabul. Reports of numerous casualties, including civilians …”

The mission tweeted: “Rising insecurity is of grave concern. Violence is not part of any solution to bring lasting peace to #Afghanistan. Our condolences to the families affected.”

ISIS-K, the local chapter of Daesh, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying “several ‘diplomatic’ employees” were among the dead.

sa/mud