Taliban claim responsibility for targeting ‘secret Christian missionary group’, ‘hitting meeting of Australian visitors’
The South African head of an international aid group, his two children and an Afghan have been killed in an attack on a guesthouse in Kabul. Following the incident, Kabul Police Chief General Mohammad Zahir has resigned from office.
Addressing a press conference after the incident, Zahir said the four were killed in the attack on Saturday, revising an earlier death toll. He did not identify the organisation.
Eight people, including two foreigners, were reportedly rescued from the building in Kabul’s District Karte Seh during a four-hour gun battle on Saturday. Initially, the reports had claimed that two people had died. It is not known whether those rescued subsequently died of their injuries or whether more bodies were found later.
“The attackers first shot dead the organisation’s director,” General Zahir reportedly said, adding that director’s son and daughter, and an Afghan was also killed.
“One of the three attackers wore a police uniform,” said Zahir.
After the event, Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanakzai announced General Zahir’s resignation.
“General Zahir told the (Afghan) interior ministry he no longer wanted to continue his job. The minister has accepted his resignation,” said Stanakzai.
Earlier, Afghan army’s 111 Military Corps Kabul Commander said a Taliban fighter was killed when his suicide vest exploded while two other attackers were gunned down.
TALIBAN CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY:
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed on social media that the compound hit on Saturday was that of a “secret Christian missionary group” and that “a meeting of Australian visitors had been hit”.
Kabul has seen eight deadly suicide attacks against high-profile targets in the past 16 days. Recently, four foreigners — including a British embassy employee — have been killed.
Taliban fighters attacked the base in Helmand province on Thursday, army commander General Ayatullah Khan reportedly said, noting that the insurgents appeared to be holed up in one of the smaller camps within Camp Bastion.
At least five soldiers and 26 insurgents were killed Friday at the base, Helmand governor’s spokesman Omar Zwak said.
The attacks point to a still-potent Taliban insurgency and raise concerns about whether Afghan security forces can control militants after the US and NATO officially conclude a 13-year combat mission this year.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry has launched a public awareness campaign to encourage Kabul residents to help prevent attacks, said spokesman Sediq Sediqqi.