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13 foreigners among 21 killed in Kabul
special to the sunday tribune
Modi as PM will put US in spot: Time
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13 foreigners among 21 killed in Kabul
Kabul, January 18 Among the dead were two British citizens, two Canadians, a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) representative from Lebanon, and the restaurant's Lebanese owner, who reportedly died after he tried to fire back at the attackers. Four United Nations' staff were killed in yesterday's attack, though their nationalities were not confirmed. Desperate customers tried to hide under tables as one attacker detonated his suicide vest at the fortified entrance to the Taverna du Liban and two other militants stormed inside and opened fire. The two gunmen inside the restaurant were shot dead by the police, an Afghan official said. "Our latest figure is 21 killed, including 13 foreigners and eight Afghans," Kabul police chief Mohammad Zahir told AFP. "Five women were among the dead and about five people were injured." The long-established Taverna has been a regular dining spot for foreign diplomats, consultants, aid workers and Afghans, and was busy with customers on Friday, the weekly holiday in Afghanistan. Like many restaurants in Kabul, it ran strict security checks with diners patted down by armed guards and passing through at least two steel doors before gaining entry. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the massacre saying that "such targeted attacks against civilians are completely unacceptable and are in flagrant breach of international humanitarian law". The assault was quickly claimed by Taliban militants fighting against the Afghan government and US-led foreign forces in the country. A militant spokesman said the attack was to avenge a US airstrike in Parwan province on Tuesday night that Afghan President Hamid Karzai said killed seven children and one woman. "These invading forces have launched a brutal bombardment on civilians... and they have martyred and wounded 30 civilians. This was a revenge attack and we did it well, and we will continue to do so," Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. — AFP Attack avenged US airstrike, say Taliban
kabul: A Tailban spokesman said the attack was to avenge a US airstrike in Parwan province on Tuesday night in which seven children and one woman were killed Justification not acceptable: US
Washington: The White House on Saturday said: "There is no possible justification for this attack, which has killed innocent civilians, including Americans, working every day to help the Afghan people achieve a better future”. PTI |
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Indian-origin UK leader dead in attack Shyam Bhatia in London The Labour Party has confirmed that a UK-born NRI, Dalvinder Singh, is among those killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul on Friday night. Dalvinder, popularly known as Del and who had worked for development projects in Asia and Africa, was also a Labour Party candidate for the next European parliament elections. Labour leader Ed Miliband said, “My thoughts -- and the thoughts of the whole Labour Party -- are with the family and friends of Del Singh who was killed in Thursday’s tragic suicide bomb blast in Kabul. “People everywhere will be appalled and shocked by this barbarous act of terror deliberately targeting members of the international community living and working in Kabul in the service of the Afghan people. “Del spent over 10 years carrying out vital work on development projects in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Sudan, Sierra Leone and other countries. “He dedicated his life to working with people across the world who needed his support.” Dalvinder was one of 13 foreigners killed at the Lebanese restaurant, Taverna du Liban, popular with diplomats, aid workers, security contractors and journalists. Eight Afghans also died. Eyewitness reports spoke of desperate customers trying to protect themselves from flying glass and shrapnel as the suicide bomber and two accomplices armed with Kalashnikovs entered the restaurant. The police said all three attackers were killed. Restaurant cook Suleiman was quoted as saying, “When I was in the kitchen, I heard an explosion outside. Then, all the guys escaped and I went to the roof and stayed with my back to the chimney for two or three hours.” The attack has been condemned by Afghan President Ahmed Karzai. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said, “This is tragic news and we at the Fund are all devastated.”
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Modi as PM will put US in spot: Time
Washington, January 18 Suggesting that the BJP “held an edge” in the upcoming general elections, Michael Crowley said: “If the BJP prevails, Modi will be India's next Prime Minister. Yet he is persona non grata in the US because of his alleged role in a horrific episode of sectarian violence in February 2002,” Crowley noted.” — IANS |
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At least 21 people, including 13 foreigners, were killed when a Taliban suicide bomber and gunmen attacked a popular restaurant in Kabul, the police said today.
