Suicide bombing near airport kills 5 in Afghan capital

A suspected suicide auto bombing at a busy intersection near the entrance to Kabul’s worldwide airport today has killed at least five people and wounded another 16, said Afghan officials.

The attack comes amid an increase in violence in Afghanistan, just weeks after Pakistani-brokered talks between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives were called off following confirmation of the death of longtime Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar. However, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid claimed that the attack targeted two vehicles belonging to foreign coalition forces and that all people aboard were killed.

It denied any Afghan civilians had been killed in the attack.

As terrorists take responsibility after broad daylight attacks on Afghan soil, no limitations have been imposed on their activities and they continue their shameless attacks, Dr Abdullah said, calling for a review of peace talks with the Taliban following the attacks in Kabul.

“On Saturday alone, within 24 hours, we had three attacks”, says Mujib Mashal, a reporter for the New York Times in Kabul.

He said he had spoken with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif about the escalation of violence in Afghanistan and that an Afghan delegation will travel to Pakistan to discuss enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation.

In a televised address, Ashraf Ghani also blamed neighbouring Pakistan for what he described as Islamabad’s support to the insurgents whose war against Kabul is now nearing its 14th year, and said he was sending a delegation to Islamabad later this week to demand a stop to this.

As recently as Friday, a string of deadly terrorist attacks struck the US military base of Camp Integrity, an army compound and an Afghan police academy.

Smoke billowed from the scene of the explosion, which killed at least five people, with officials warning that the toll could rise further.

Conflict between the Western-backed government and the Taliban has intensified this year, with civilians and Afghan security forces taking the brunt after the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation combat mission ended in 2014.

Pakistan has taken note of the contents of a press conference by the President of Afghanistan held in Kabul on Monday. The Taliban distanced themselves from a second round of talks scheduled for the end of July, after the announcement of Mullah Omar’s death.

“We will make peace with those who know about humanity, Islam and the meaning of Afghanistan and do not destroy their country for the interests of outsiders”, he told reporters.