Share

2 killed as multiple bomb blasts rock Afghanistan capital

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
  • At least two people were killed in multiple bomb blasts in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.
  • A local police chief was among those killed in the latest blasts.
  • The blasts follow a pattern of attacks during morning traffic, targeting prominent Afghan citizens.

At least two people, including a local police chief, were killed after multiple bomb blasts rocked the Afghan capital early on Wednesday, officials said.

The latest violence in Kabul follows a pattern of attacks during morning rush-hour traffic targeting prominent Afghans including politicians, journalists, activists and judges.

Police spokesperson Ferdaws Faramarz told reporters that two people were killed and another was wounded in their vehicle by a bomb in downtown Kabul.

Interior ministry spokesperson Tariq Arian told AFP that one of those killed was a district police chief in the capital.

READ | Afghan officials welcome Biden plan to review US-Taliban deal

An AFP photographer at the scene said the bomb had ripped through the rear of what appeared to be an armoured vehicle.

Minutes earlier, another blast targeting a vehicle in the same district wounded four people, Faramarz added.

A third blast targeted a police vehicle in Paghman district on the outskirts of Kabul.

Surge in violence

Authorities did not say if the blasts were caused by so-called "sticky bombs" attached to the vehicles, or roadside improvised explosive devices.

Wednesday's blasts come a day after militants shot dead four government employees in an ambush in the capital.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Afghan and US officials have blamed the Taliban for the wave of violence, but the group has denied the charges.

The surge in violence comes as peace talks that started in September between the Taliban and Afghan government have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough.

Government negotiators are pushing for a permanent ceasefire, but the insurgents have so far dismissed calls for a truce.

The rise in violence has led US President Joe Biden's administration to launch a review of a deal signed between Washington and the Taliban last year, that paved the way for the withdrawal of all American troops in coming months.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
68% - 1788 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
32% - 841 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.79
-0.9%
Rand - Pound
23.53
-0.5%
Rand - Euro
20.10
-0.6%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.21
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
-0.2%
Platinum
942.30
-1.8%
Palladium
944.00
-3.6%
Gold
2,294.85
-1.7%
Silver
26.34
-3.0%
Brent Crude
88.40
-1.2%
Top 40
69,925
-0.7%
All Share
76,076
-0.5%
Resource 10
61,271
-4.3%
Industrial 25
105,022
+0.4%
Financial 15
16,592
+1.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE