Terrorists once again struck a deadly attack in the heart of Kabul. Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing. Six suicide attackers were gunned down and one intelligence agent martyred. In a swift response to the strike of six suicide bombers and two explosives-laden cars near the Headquarters of the National Directorate of Security on Wednesday, all attackers were killed. A second car with explosives on timer was defused just three minutes before it could bang off. The extraordinary performance of NDS agents to this brazen attack is laudable. The enemies of the people of Afghanistan succeeded in wounding about 17 civilians in the attack. Taliban spokesman proudly claimed responsibility.

However, the question remains about security lapses. How could a group of suicide bombers with two bombing cars enter the heart of the security ring in Kabul city? They reached to the gate of NDS Headquarters. All of them had suicide vests, their cars filled with explosives and Kalashnikovs. They could successfully drive crossing all police security checks around the area and reach in front of NDS HQ next to Police HQ.

Each attack shows new tactics by militants. They used water-gel explosive for the first time. It is the second deadly attack now reaching the headquarters of NDS. Last time, a suicide bomber blew himself up during a meeting with NDS Chief Asadullah Khalid, who is now at a hospital in the US.

Taliban militants continue terror with deadliest tactics each time, despite the buzz of optimism in international media and among the Karzai Administration officials about the so-called reconciliation process that has been nothing more than talks about talk, used as a delay-tactic by the Taliban to deceive the government, which is pursuing a policy of appeasement that will lead to nowhere.

We believe the green signals by the Taliban in the talks about talks is more of a tactical strategy to wait for the US and NATO withdrawal in 2014 and surge their attacks. They still dream about taking over Afghanistan and implement their brand of inhumane extremism. The talks will lead to nowhere, unless the government takes a tough stand pursuing a hunt-operation against Taliban leadership to force them on table. Why would they talk and agree on a settlement when they have safe havens across the border and are living without fear of strike, continuing insurgency recruitment? The US troops’ surge has significantly brought a blowback to militants in southern provinces. The Government needs to pursue a tough policy towards negotiations.