At least 10 dead in Kabul vehicle bombing

A suicide vehicle bomb targeting a convoy in the Afghan capital has killed a dozen people, including three American contractors, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation say.

US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces ended their combat mission in Afghanistan in December past year, although a 13,000-strong residual force remains for training and counter-terrorism operations.

Bombings have increased in the capital since the government and Taliban in July confirmed Mullah Omar had died two years ago. At least one among of the dead was a foreigner, Afghan officials said.

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The bomb was placed in a Toyota sedan, a security official at the scene said. He did not disclose their nationalities or jobs. Wahidullah Mayar, a Health Ministry spokesman, told the Associated Press that 66 people were wounded in the attack in the crowded Macrorayan neighborhood. The causalities reportedly included children, reportedly witnesses.

In the aftermath, bystanders and locals were calm but visibly angered. “This government is nothing but a total failure”, Arif said.

However, conflicting reports by Afghan officials suggested the number of dead could be as many as 12. Two Afghan women nearby also were killed.

This is the fourth suicide bombing shocking Kabul over the past couple of weeks.

There have been a number of attacks in the city within the past month. The Taliban are stepping up their summer offensive, launched in late April, amid a bitter leadership dispute following the announcement of the death of longtime leader Mullah Omar.

While condemning the incident, the Taliban spokesperson said they will research to the bottom of the incident to expose the actual perpetrators of this attack. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the January 29, 2015, attack at Kabul global Airport that took the lives of three Praetorian contractors, Matt Fineran, Walter D. Fisher and Jason D. Landphair.