On the morning of 19 April 2016, Taliban militants attacked a security team responsible for protecting government VIPs in Kabul, Afghanistan. The initial attack killed 64 people and wounded 347. It was their biggest attack on an urban area since 2001.[1][2][3]
April 2016 Kabul attack | |
---|---|
Part of War in Afghanistan (2001–present), Operation Omari | |
Kabul Kabul (Afghanistan) | |
Location | Kabul, Afghanistan |
Coordinates | 34°33′19″N 69°12′27″E / 34.5553°N 69.2075°E |
Date | 19 April 2016 |
Target | Government employees |
Attack type | Mass murder, suicide bombing |
Weapons | Bomb, guns |
Deaths | 69 (62; 7)† |
Injured | 367+ (347; 20+)† |
Perpetrators | Taliban |
† First number in brackets: primary attack Second number in brackets: attack on broadcaster |
Local broadcaster TOLOnews reported that the attack involved a suicide bomber detonating a vehicle laden with "hundreds of kilograms of explosives" and the militants then making their way into the compound of "Department 10" of the National Directorate of Security (NDS)[2] and opening fire. The bomb that detonated caused a ceiling to collapse in a classroom where elite intelligence officers were being trained. An Afghan security official said members of that unit accounted for about half of the people killed.[4] The local broadcast station said that a two-hour gun battle ensued between the militants and security forces.[5][6]
Sediq Sediqi, a spokesman for the Afghani Interior Ministry, said that despite the target, most of the victims were civilians.[1] Ismail Kawasi, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, said that 327 wounded have been brought to area hospitals.[1] On 20 April 2016, Sediqi confirmed in a tweet that 64 "innocent Afghans" were killed and 347 wounded.[7]
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack.[6] He said as many as 92 security staff and soldiers were killed.[2] It came after the group announced its annual spring offensive Operation Omari.[6]
President Ashraf Ghani issued a statement saying that the attack proved that the Taliban were growing weak and therefore resorting to asymmetric warfare.[1] Shortly after the attack, women's rights activist Wazhma Frogh wrote on Twitter that the attacks took place near schools and that parents were attempting to protect their children.[6]
Some parliamentarians strongly condemned President Ashraf Ghani for failing to provide security from the terrorist attacks.[4]