Massive blast in Kabul, 80 feared killed

A powerful bomb exploded in high security diplomatic zone in Kabul, reportedly killing over 80 and leaving about 350 injured during morning hours. The death toll is certain to rise, according to reports. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, but the attack came as the Taliban group steps up their annual “spring offensive”.

The massive explosion that took place close to the German embassy, UK embassy and the new block of Indian embassy, smashed windows of the buildings nearby and a huge plume of smoke could be seen swirling over the area near the presidential palace and other foreign embassies in the Afghan capital.

According to official sources, a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device weighing about 1,500 kg concealed inside a water tanker was used for the blast and the explosion left a seven meter deep crater. “Today’s blast follows several threat warnings to the German humanitarian aid group ‘GIZ’ and German assets in Kabul city recently,” sources said, maintaining that many truck bombs have been interdicted en-route from Nangarhar to Kabul city over recent weeks by Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.

While insurgents rarely get success to launch strikes inside the capital city, they usually resort to IEDs blasts and suicide attacks, sources added.

External affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj tweeted to confirm that all staffers at the Indian mission were safe.

Besides two chancery buildings in Kabul, India has consulates in four provinces of Afghanistan including Mazar-e-Sharief, Jalalabad, Kandahar and Herat.

Official sources at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, however, said some damage to the windows of the embassy building has been reported.

It was not immediately clear what was the target of the blast that occurred during the morning rush hour. Houses hundreds of metres away from the blast site were damaged and windows and doors blown off their hinges. Bodies and injured people were seen in the area. Some women were seen screaming for the lost relatives at the site of explosion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack in a tweet and said, India stands firmly with Afghanistan in fighting all kinds of terrorism.

A security advisory issued earlier this month to Indians residing in Afghanistan by Embassy of India, Kabul had underscored: “The security situation in Afghanistan remains highly volatile and unpredictable. There may be further enhancement in violencein the coming fighting season from multiple terrorist outfits operating in Afghanistan. Hence more attacks can be expected in Kabul and other cities against government installations as well as foreigner’s locations in future.”

Asking for exercising strict vigilance and caution with regard to security at workplace, place of residence and also during movement in the city, it went on to add that unimportant movements especially during peak commuting hours be avoided.

“Insurgents may target the military convoys, Afghan Government or Ministry offices, high ranking officials, law enforcing agencies, international guest houses, hotels, compounds, airports and vehicles carrying Afghan government officials,” the advisory issued on May 11 read, impressing on Indian nationals to stay vigilant, “Knowledge of arrival and departure should be shared only on need to know basis. Movement should not have a predictable pattern and timing and routes taken should be changed to maintain the elements of surprise.”

It also advised Indians residing in Afghanistan to stay in touch with embassy over WhatsApp.

With PTI inputs