Afghanistan: The Taliban Strike Back In The Heart Of Kabul

Today a bold Taliban attack took place in the center of Kabul. Ten Indians, a Frenchman and an Italian were among the 17 people killed in the attacks. The Indians appear to have been the main target. Just before dawn, a suicide car bomber carried out the main attack on the Safi hotel and shopping complex. The Afghan authorities report that two Taliban were separately killed by Afghan police.

The Taliban have claimed the attack. A Taliban spokesman said that the bomb was “detonated in front of the Indians’ hotel”. India’s presence and influence in Kabul has considerably increased since the 2001 invasion. The attack comes as Afghans mark Milad-Ul Nabi, the birthday of prophet Mohammed.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told Reuters that “holy warriors had managed to attack in the heart of Kabul once again”. Mujahid said at least 5 Taliban fighters launched the attack, including 2 suicide bombers who detonated explosives-packed vests near the hotel.

“Explosions and the sound of intense gunfire, followed by sporadic gunfire, were heard in the heart of the capital. There is concern that as NATO push against the Taliban goes on, these types of attacks will increase as a result. The Taliban are showing that they too are very strong-willed and that they will attack anywhere and anytime they want,” said Hoda Abdel-Hamid, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Kabul.

Today’s coordinated attack is the 1ST one in Kabul since January 18, when teams of Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen targeted government building in the center of Kabul leaving 12 people dead.

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