7 killed as Taliban strikes after Obama visit
Source: Agencies |
May 3, 2012, Thursday
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THE Taliban struck back less than two hours after United States President Barack Obama left Afghanistan yesterday, targeting a foreigners' housing compound with a suicide car bomb and militants disguised as women in an assault that killed at least seven people.
It was the second major assault in Kabul in less than three weeks and highlighted the Taliban's continued ability to strike in the heavily guarded capital even when security was tight for Obama's visit and yesterday's anniversary of the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan.
Obama arrived at Bagram Air Field late on Tuesday, then traveled to Kabul by helicopter for a meeting with President Hamid Karzai in which they signed an agreement governing the US presence after combat troops withdraw in 2014. Later, back at the base, he was surrounded by US troops, shaking every hand. He then gave a speech broadcast to Americans back home, before ending his lightning visit just before 4:30am.
The US president, who is in the midst of a re-election campaign, touted the Navy SEAL raid that killed bin Laden a year ago yesterday, noting that the operation was launched from a base in Afghanistan. He also said that "the tide has turned" over the last three years.
But the violence that erupted about 90 minutes after his departure was a stark reminder of the difficult task still ahead for Afghan troops as they work to secure their country after US and other foreign troops end their combat mission following nearly a decade at war.
The deal signed with Karzai does not commit the US to any specific troop presence or spending. But it does allow the US to potentially keep troops in Afghanistan through 2024 for two specific purposes: continued training of Afghan forces and targeted operations against al-Qaida.
The attack began with a suicide car bomb near the gate of the privately guarded compound, which sits off Jalalabad road - one of the main thoroughfares out of the city, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said.
Kabul Deputy Police Chief Daoud Amin said those killed in the blast included four people in a station wagon that was driving past the area, a passer-by and a Nepalese security guard. He didn't have the identity of the seventh person. The Interior Ministry said 17 others were wounded, many Afghan children on their way to school.
Karzai's office said three Taliban took part in the attack: the suicide car bomber and two other gunmen who stormed the compound disguised in burqas - the head-to-toe robes worn by conservative Afghan women.
Explosions and gunfire shook the city for hours as Afghan soldiers rushed to the scene and battled the attackers.
The area appeared to have calmed down by about 10am. NATO said all the attackers had been killed.
It was the second major assault in Kabul in less than three weeks and highlighted the Taliban's continued ability to strike in the heavily guarded capital even when security was tight for Obama's visit and yesterday's anniversary of the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan.
Obama arrived at Bagram Air Field late on Tuesday, then traveled to Kabul by helicopter for a meeting with President Hamid Karzai in which they signed an agreement governing the US presence after combat troops withdraw in 2014. Later, back at the base, he was surrounded by US troops, shaking every hand. He then gave a speech broadcast to Americans back home, before ending his lightning visit just before 4:30am.
The US president, who is in the midst of a re-election campaign, touted the Navy SEAL raid that killed bin Laden a year ago yesterday, noting that the operation was launched from a base in Afghanistan. He also said that "the tide has turned" over the last three years.
But the violence that erupted about 90 minutes after his departure was a stark reminder of the difficult task still ahead for Afghan troops as they work to secure their country after US and other foreign troops end their combat mission following nearly a decade at war.
The deal signed with Karzai does not commit the US to any specific troop presence or spending. But it does allow the US to potentially keep troops in Afghanistan through 2024 for two specific purposes: continued training of Afghan forces and targeted operations against al-Qaida.
The attack began with a suicide car bomb near the gate of the privately guarded compound, which sits off Jalalabad road - one of the main thoroughfares out of the city, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said.
Kabul Deputy Police Chief Daoud Amin said those killed in the blast included four people in a station wagon that was driving past the area, a passer-by and a Nepalese security guard. He didn't have the identity of the seventh person. The Interior Ministry said 17 others were wounded, many Afghan children on their way to school.
Karzai's office said three Taliban took part in the attack: the suicide car bomber and two other gunmen who stormed the compound disguised in burqas - the head-to-toe robes worn by conservative Afghan women.
Explosions and gunfire shook the city for hours as Afghan soldiers rushed to the scene and battled the attackers.
The area appeared to have calmed down by about 10am. NATO said all the attackers had been killed.
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