Kabul ambulance bombing

On 27 January 2018, an ambulance was used as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Sidarat Square in Kabul, Afghanistan. At least 103 people were killed and 235 others wounded in the attack.[1] The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.[2][3]

Kabul ambulance bombing
Part of the War in Afghanistan
Blast site is located in Kabul
Blast site
Blast site
Blast site (Kabul)
Blast site is located in Afghanistan
Blast site
Blast site
Blast site (Afghanistan)
LocationKabul, Afghanistan
Coordinates34°31′37″N 69°10′09″E
Date27 January 2018 (UTC+04:30)
Attack type
Suicide car bombing
WeaponsBomb
Deaths103
Injured235
PerpetratorsTaliban

Bombing

On 27 January 2018, insurgents blew up an explosives-packed ambulance near an interior ministry building on a busy and heavily-guarded street in the Afghan capital Kabul during rush hour.[4][2] The bombers detonated the explosives while passing through the second in a series of checkpoints near Kabul's embassies and government buildings including the European Union embassies. The explosion was so powerful that the shock was felt around the capital, collapsing buildings and destroying façades in the immediate area.[1] The Jamhuriat Hospital, government offices, businesses and a school are close to the site of the blast.[5] It was the third major attack in seven days, following shootings at an aid agency in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province, and at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul.[6] Officials confirmed that the bomb was hidden in the ambulance and detonated at a second police checkpoint.[7] Its blast also destroyed vehicles, shops, and buildings nearby.[8][9]

The attack occurred on a street, locally known as Chicken Street, near a building run by the Interior Ministry. Various government agencies have offices there and the road had security checkpoints in place. The coordinator for the Italian aid group Emergency that operates a trauma center described the event as a "massacre". According to reports, the vehicle was stopped at a second security checkpoint after passing the primary one claiming they had a patient. When police attempted to stop the vehicle from going further, the driver detonated the bomb. Relatives were reported to be queuing at the city morgue.[2] The scene of the attack was described as one of carnage with shattered bodies, many unidentifiable, lying all over.[10]

Perpetrators

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.[2] The Afghan government described it as a crime against humanity, and accused Pakistan of providing support to the attackers. Pakistan denies supporting militants carrying out attacks in Afghanistan.[11]

Aftermath

The third major attack in Afghanistan within a week, President Ashraf Ghani again blamed Pakistan for failing to move against Taliban terrorists. Ghani vowed revenge against the Taliban in retaliation.[12] In addition, Ghani sent an Afghan intelligence delegation to Pakistan to hand over "undeniable" evidence that the terrorists of the bombing were planning the attack within Pakistan.[13] Peace prospects with the Taliban also took a downward turn following increasing outrage over the attacks, with a presidential spokesman saying that the Taliban "has lost the opportunity for peace talks".[14] The use of an ambulance to deliver the bomb was described as an act of perfidy by the International Committee of the Red Cross.[15]

See also

References
Wikinews has related news:
  1. Doubek, James (27 January 2018). "At Least 103 Killed, 235 Wounded In Taliban Car Bombing In Kabul". NPR.
  2. Mashal, Mujib; Sukhanyar, Jawad (2018). "'It's a Massacre': Taliban Bomb in Ambulance Kills 95 in Kabul". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  3. "103 dead in Kabul ambulance bombing, officials say". The Independent. 28 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  4. "Taliban kill 95 with ambulance bomb". BBC News. 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  5. "Afghanistan: Mehr als 90 Tote und 150 Verletzte bei Anschlag in Kabul". Die Zeit (in German). 27 January 2018. ISSN 0044-2070. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  6. "Nearly 100 killed in ambulance blast in Afghan capital Kabul". Reuters. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  7. Salahuddin, Sayed (27 January 2018). "Suicide bomber in ambulance kills at least 95, wounds 158, Kabul officials say". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  8. "'Many dead bodies and blood everywhere': At least 95 killed in Afghan car bombing". USA TODAY. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  9. "Death Toll Rises To 95 In Kabul Ambulance Bombing | TOLOnews". TOLOnews. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  10. Harrison, Emma (27 January 2018). "Kabul: bomb hidden in ambulance kills dozens". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  11. "Kabul attack: Taliban kill 95 with ambulance bomb in Afghan capital". BBC. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  12. "Ashraf Ghani warns Taliban of 'revenge' for Kabul attacks".
  13. "Afghan President speaks to Modi, not to Pakistan PM". 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018 – via The Economic Times.
  14. Constable, Pamela (30 January 2018). "Afghan peace prospects dim as outrage grows over Taliban violence" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  15. Graham-Harrison, Emma (27 January 2018). "Kabul: bomb hidden in ambulance kills dozens". the Guardian.
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