Twenty Eight Dead, 21 Wounded in Suicide Attack on Afghan Army Bus

Text of report in English by Afghan independent Pajhwok news agency website

Kabul, 29 September: A large number of people, mainly security personnel, were killed in a suicide attack on a bus of the Afghan National Army (ANA) in Kabul Saturday morning, officials and witnesses said.

The Defence Ministry said 28 of its staffers were killed and another 21 wounded in the massive bombing that happened opposite the Baharistan Cinema in the fourth police district of the capital at 6.40 am.

Kabul [anti-] Crimes Branch chief Gen Alishah Paktiawal told Pajhwok Afghan News at the scene the victims included army and police personnel and civilians. He said the exact death toll was not immediately known.

One eyewitness Salam claimed the blast occurred as soon as the vehicle stopped opposite the cinema to pick up Defence Ministry employees. He believed a suspect, who also managed to embark on the bus along with security staffers, was the suicide bomber.

Salam added municipal workers waiting for their vehicle, passers- by and labourers were among the fatalities. Shuja, giving an eyewitness account, said he saw body parts and blood on the bus, comprehensively damaged by the powerful explosion.

As a result of the blast, carried out by whom the Defence Ministry called a man in army uniform, the roof and sides of the sturdy bus were blown out and reduced to mangled metal.

“The attacker exploded himself in front of the bus,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The bus was travelling to a ministry complex when it was attacked. The area was cordoned off by security officials.

It remains unclear whether the suicide bomber embarked on the bus to carry out the attack or the explosives had already been planted on the vehicle.

Over 5,000 people have perished in violence across the country this year that has so far seen more than a hundred suicide attacks – most blamed on Taleban insurgents.

On 17 June, 35 policemen were killed in a similar attack on their bus in the morning rush-hour. Officials said it was the worst such attack since Taleban launched their insurgency six years ago.

Originally published by Pajhwok Afghan News website, Kabul, in English 0645 29 Sep 07.

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