50 die in multiple blasts at Kabul airport

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 26

Multiple explosions near Kabul international airport on Thursday killed over 50 persons, including at least 10 US troops. The first explosion took place at nearby Baron’s Hotel and as French intelligence was posting warnings about a second blast, another explosion occurred at the gate of the airport manned by US troops.

Suicide bombings

• The first explosion took place near Baron’s Hotel
• The second blast occurred at the gate of Kabul airport, manned by US troops
• The explosions appeared to be suicide attacks, say American officials

ISIS to blame?

• A US official says ISIS (Khorasan) ‘most definitely involved’
• Blasts may have been intended to show Taliban’s inability to provide security
• Targeting the Americans may be the other motive

MEA flays bloodbath

India has strongly condemned the bomb blasts at the Kabul airport. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in this terrorist attack. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the injured,” said the MEA in a statement

There was also firing at an Italian military aircraft taking off from Kabul airport. Hours later, a Taliban vehicle hit an IED, leaving several dead. The blasts were believed to be suicide attacks and a US official said the ISIS (Khorasan) was “most definitely involved”.

Social media posts showed images of body parts and the dead and injured being carted away to hospitals while the blast scene was littered with crumpled plastic water bottles, scarves, footwear and food packets. The first explosion was captured on camera in the form of a huge black column rising from the hotel into the Kabul night sky. The Pentagon described the two blasts as part of a “complex attack” with the second one claiming the lives of several US soldiers. But it said evacuation operations will continue till August 31. The explosions are expected to impact the evacuation of foreign nationals, including Indians, which External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said remained the top priority of the Indian government. Western nations had warned earlier in the day of a possible attack.

The suspicion for the attack has fallen on ISIS, and not the Taliban, which is deployed at the outer periphery of the airport and its Badri 313 battalion too has taken casualties.

Sources here said the ISIS (Khorasan) is the obvious suspect because the blasts may have been intended to show up the Taliban’s inability to provide security in Kabul as well as target the Americans.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Dr M Naeem said, “The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing that targeted civilians at Kabul airport… will strictly repel the crimes of evil circles.”