File picture: Afghan security personnel inspect the site of a bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on February 6, 2021
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion as yet
- “The suicide attacker was recognised before reaching the target and shot by Russian embassy (Taliban) guards,” Reuters quoted Mawlawi Sabir, the head of the police district where the explosion occurred, as saying
- A report suggests the explosion took place when people were waiting outside the Russian embassy for visa
According to a local police official and a Russian state news agency, two Russian embassy staff members and at least one civilian were killed in the explosion. However, the toll is expected to be higher.
No details were provided about who the staff members were or how they died.
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It was reported earlier by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, citing anonymous sources, that the blast happened when a Russian diplomat walked out to call out the names of visa candidates waiting outside.
In a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the blast took place “in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the consular section of the Russian Embassy” in Kabul.
“An unknown militant set off an explosive device,” said the ministry, adding: “As a result of the attack, two members of the diplomatic mission were killed, and there are also victims among Afghan citizens.”
Meanwhile, the Kabul police chief’s spokesman, Khalid Zadran, stated that at least one civilian died and 10 were injured.
According to Zadran, the blast was caused by a suicide bomber. Apparently, security forces spotted the bomber before he could reach the crowd outside the embassy. Zadran added that security forces shot the attacker.
It was unclear whether the attacker detonated the explosives before he was shot, or if the gunfire detonated the explosives.
An investigation is underway, and police have blocked off the area, according to Zadran.
