KABUL - The Minister of Interior, Taj Mohammad Jahid, and acting chief of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Massoud Andarabi, were summoned to the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) on Sunday to answer questions around last week's deadly bombing in Kabul.
Insurgents detonated a truck bomb outside an intelligence service unit on Tuesday, before storming the compound and shooting staff. In total at least 64 people were killed and over 340 injured.
Although discussions with Andarabi were held behind closed doors, the second deputy speaker of the Meshrano Jirga, Hasibullah Kalimzai, said Andarabi admitted the NDS had been in possession of information regarding the planned attack ahead of time. However, security forces failed to prevent it.
"As the incident was not prevented, all security organizations are considered failed, but this failure does not mean that we have failed in all areas," said Kalimzai.
The senators in Sunday's session lashed out at government for failing to prevent the incident.
"The issue of the punishment of terrorists and criminals should be discussed as a red-line for people of Afghanistan in the National Security Council. It has been discussed several times in the past by government leaders. However, neither the previous government, nor the incumbent government has paid any attention to the issue and it gives the enemy courage," said Mohammad Alim Ezadyar, a senator.
"There were several flaws. Soldiers were asked to go there, they should have been armed, but they were ordered not to have arms," said Rahmatullah Achakzai, another senator.
"Our people, women and children, are being killed, the government must takes steps," said Mohammad Hashim Alokozai, another senator.
Jahid meanwhile admitted to intelligence lapses in the MoI, and he said favoritism in appointments, was one of the main weaknesses in the police force.
"I promise to people of Afghanistan that based on the plans that we have and based on rules and regulation, if I couldn't reform Afghan police, based on the resolve that I have and if don't face any obstacles, I will be accountable before people of Afghanistan," he said. (Tolonews)