Over 9 killed, several wounded as suicide attack hits diplomatic part of Kabul; Prez Ghani orders probe

Kabul, November 1: In Afghanistan, at least nine people have been killed and 21 injured in a powerful explosion in central Kabul yesterday evening. The explosion ripped through the heavily-fortified diplomatic area of Wazir Akbar Khan.

A suicide bomber reportedly detonated his explosives in 14th Street inside the Green Zone. According to the Ministry of Defence, which has an office in 14th Street, the explosion happened close to their building but they said they were not the target.

The explosion happened at about 4pm local time when many government officials and embassy staff were leaving the area for the day.

The suicide bomber reportedly entered the area through a park bordering the diplomatic zone and was able to penetrate the layers of security and gain access directly into the highly-fortified area that houses numerous embassies, some government offices, guesthouses and a few private companies.

However, the eyewitnesses in the area are saying that more than ten people were killed and over ten others were wounded in the attack.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani ordered the security institutions to launch immediate investigations into the deadly suicide attack in the key diplomatic part of the city.

The Office of the President, ARG Palace, in a statement said President Ghani strongly condemned the attack in Kabul city on Tuesday that left a number of people dead or wounded.

The statement further added that President Ghani has ordered the security institutions to investigate regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the way through which the suicide bomber managed to reach the area.