New Delhi:
A massive suicide car bombing occurred in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday morning in an area close to foreign embassies and the presidential palace. Afghanistan Ministry of Health has claimed that 80 people have been killed and 350 wounded in the attack.
The blast took place near Wazir Akbar Khan area, Kabul PD 10 and sources claim that the Iranian embassy was the target. The Indian embassy located at a distance of 1.5 kilometers from the Iranian one, is reported to be safe.
''Buildings, including ours, suffered considerable breakages, but all our staff are safe'' said Indian ambassador in Kabul Manpreet Vohra
Buildings, including ours, suffered considerable breakages,but all our staff are safe: Indian ambassador in Kabul Manpreet Vohra #KabulBlast
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the Indian Embassy staff are safe in the blast.
By God's grace, Indian Embassy staff are safe in the massive #Kabul blast, tweets EAM Sushma Swaraj pic.twitter.com/2jYpSV8Osa
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017
There have been sporadic deadly attacks on Kabul in recent months, all of which have highlighted the worsening security situation across Afghanistan.
We strongly condemn the terrorist blast in Kabul. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 31, 2017
Indian PM Narendra Modi condemned the Kabul blast while claiming that India stands with Afghanistan in fighting all types of terrorism. He also said that forces supporting terrorism need to be defeated.
India stands with Afghanistan in fighting all types of terrorism. Forces supporting terrorism need to be defeated.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 31, 2017
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#WATCH Visuals from the blast site in Kabul, Indian embassy staff safe. AP reports 50 people have been killed or wounded #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/a6rC71DKea
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017
Pictures of immediate aftermath of Kabul explosion, Afghan Health Ministry says 60 people wounded so far. pic.twitter.com/Jxjl6JTIIk
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017
Earlier in May nearly eight civilians were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a Nato convoy as it was passing the US embassy. Photos posted on social media display a large plume of smoke in the sky above the war-torn city.
No group has yet said it carried out Wednesday's attack, but in April the Taliban had announced the start of a major spring offensive, saying their main focus would be foreign forces, targeting them with a mix of conventional, guerrilla, insider and suicide attacks. The US has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, with another 5,000 from Nato allies.
Explosion in Kabul, reportedly near Wazir Akbar Khan area, Kabul PD 10: Afghan Media pic.twitter.com/5joCXNwkqV
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017
