A Taliban suicide bomber killed 14 Nepalese security guards and two Indians on Monday in a blast targeting their Kabul minibus, officials said, the first claimed attack in the capital since Washington expanded the US military’s authority to strike the insurgents.
The attack, which police said was carried out by a suicide bomber on foot, came shortly before 6.00 am on a main road leading east out of the capital towards the city of Jalalabad.
“As a result 14 foreigners were killed, all Nepalese nationals,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement, adding it “strongly condemns” the attack.
The guards were employed by a company that provides security to Western embassies in Kabul, a security official who asked to remain anonymous told AFP. Nine other people were wounded, including five Nepalese and four Afghans, the Ministry said.
The sound of the explosion could be heard across Kabul and a plume of smoke could be seen above the site of the blast on the Jalalabad road, a main route that houses many foreign compounds and military facilities.
More than two dozen ambulances rushed to the scene, an AFP journalist said, with police blocking off the road. Children watched as the yellow, blood-spattered bus was taken away. There was also damage to shops near the explosion site with windows shattered.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack on social media, saying it was “against the forces of aggression” in Afghanistan.
The attack comes days after Washington announced expansion of US military’s authority to conduct air strikes against Taliban, significantly boosting Afghan forces, who have limited close air-support capacities.
It was the first attack in the Capital since the start of Ramzan two weeks ago. Taliban have rejected the Government’s call for a ceasefire over the month.
The last attack in Kabul on April 19 left 64 dead and more than 340 wounded, and was also claimed by the Taliban.