KABUL - Politicians strongly condemned a bomb attack on first vice president Amrulah Saleh and said such cowardly terrorist attacks would not weaken the Afghans’ resolve for a dignified peace.
The first VP was slightly wounded in the roadside bombing that targeted his convoy in Kabul on Wednesday morning. At least 10 civilians were killed and 15 others, including the VP’s security guards, were injured in the bombing in the Taimani neighbourhood of the capital.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News 10 individuals were killed and 12 others wounded in the bombing.
But Taliban’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgent movement was involved in the explosion targeting Saleh’s convoy.
Ministry of Interior Affairs spokesman Tariq Aryan told media persons that 10 people had been killed and another 15, including two guards of Saleh, wounded in the blast.
The vice-president’s son Ebad Saleh tweeted: "I was with my father when our vehicle was targeted. I assure you he’s fine and everybody is fine…"
Saleh appeared in a video on his social media account and said he was on his way to office when his convoy was attacked. I sustained some burns on my face and hand."
Saleh apologized for the harm to bystanders in the bomb attack on his convoy. He wished the injured a swift recovery
President Ashraf Ghani also strongly condemned the attack on his first deputy, saying terrorists and their foreign supporters should know that by committing such crimes, they cannot undermine the will of the people to seek peace.
He added that the country’s military forces stood firmly against terrorism.
High National Reconciliation Council (HNRC) chairman Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in a statement strongly condemned the attack on AmrullahSaleh and termed it the handiwork of the enemy of the people of Afghanistan and the peace process.
He said, “We strongly condemn the cowardly and terrorist attack and call for a serious investigation by the relevant institutions as such attacks show the weakness and inability of the sworn enemies of the Afghanistan people.”
Second vice president Sarwar Danish, Minster of foreign affairs Mohammad HanifAtmar, National Security Advisor (NSA) HamdullahMohib and a number of other political figures also condemned the attack on Amrullah Saleh convoy.
They said the enemies of the country could not stop the ongoing efforts for lasting peace in Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)