Afghanistan: A car bomb targeted an international aid organization in an upscale area of Kabul, the Afghan capital on Wednesday, the third day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, sending a plume of smoke and dust into the sky, security officials said.
The attack targeted the office of non-profit Counterpart International in the Shahr Naw area of Kabul, they added.
The explosion was followed by an attack by inghimasi fighters who engaged security forces in a gun battle.
FLASH:
Huge explosion near the office of the attorney general in Kabul. As per initial reports, the attack appears to be a combination of ishtihadi and inghimasi attack. Gunfight ongoing. #Afghanistan
— F. Jeffery (@Natsecjeff) May 8, 2019
Eyewitnesses said gunfire is ongoing close to the Attorney General's Office in Shah-e-Naw area in #Kabul's PD10. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/Nt4L0PIBXh
— Tariq Ghazniwal (@TGhazniwal) May 8, 2019
please keep the people of afghanistan in your prayers tonight, my friend just sent me this video from kabul pic.twitter.com/0bYeWWeNhX
— mariam (@hoodjaabi) May 8, 2019
Nusrat Rahimi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Affairs, confirmed the target of the attack was Counterpart International, an international organisation headquartered in the US that is operating in Afghanistan since 2005.
The organisation’s office building is located near the attorney general’s office in Shahr-e-Naw area in the centre of Kabul city.
VIDEO:
Footage shows employees of Counterpart International Organization are being evacuated. #Kabul #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/QTQIzMQnYZ
— F. Jeffery (@Natsecjeff) May 8, 2019
A health ministry spokesperson, Wahidullah Mayar, said nine wounded people had been taken to hospital.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the group attacked the organisation because it was involved in “harmful Western activities” inside Afghanistan, going on to level serious accusations against the organisation.
#AlFath#Breaking: US network named Counterpart involved in harmful western activities inside Afghanistan under attack by IEA Mujahidin in Shahri Naw of #Kabul city.
Site currently under deadly attacks. Mentioned NGO was established by USAID organization.
— Zabihullah (ذبیح الله م ) (@Zabihullah_4) May 8, 2019
Counterpart also created exclusive groups whose members varied from Ashraf Ghani to MPs & senior Kabul administration workers.
Counterpart implemented a dangerous program termed 'Angel' aimed at promoting open inter-mixing b/w men & women.— Zabihullah (ذبیح الله م ) (@Zabihullah_4) May 8, 2019
A detailed statement was later released by the Taliban, which contained exaggerated claim that 40 foreign advisers have been killed. As per Taliban claim, a tactical blast was used to break through the barriers and then three inghimasi fighters stormed the area.
A total of five people were killed and 24 injured in the attack, authorities said.