The bombing came as Afghan officials and the Taliban prepared to begin talks
KABUL, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 10 people have been killed in a roadside bomb attack in the Afghan capital Kabul that targeted the first vice president, Amrullah Saleh.
Saleh, a former head of the Afghan intelligence services, escaped with slight burns on his face and hand.
The bombing came as Afghan officials and the Taliban prepared to begin their first formal talks.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a tweet that the militant group was not responsible for the blast.
Footage filmed shortly after the explosion showed a large plume of black smoke rising from the scene.
Tareq Arain, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s interior ministry, said the roadside bomb targeted Saleh’s convoy as the official travelled to work.
Arain said 10 civilians who worked in the area were killed and 15 people, including one of Saleh’s bodyguards, were wounded.
A witness to the explosion said he was driving past the location on the way to a clinic when the bomb detonated.
“I lost one of my brothers, and the other one is hurt,” the man said after the blast.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack on the convoy of First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, which resulted in dozens of civilian casualties.
Guterres extended his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
The secretary-general reiterated the urgency of achieving a peaceful settlement to the conflict in the country and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting the people and government of Afghanistan in this important endeavor, said Stephane Dujarric, Guterres’ spokesman, in a statement. — NNN-AGENCIES
