Taliban assault on German consulate kills 2, injures 100 in Afghanistan

A robust Taliban truck bomb struck the German consulate in Afghanistan’s northern Mazar-i-Sharif metropolis, killing at the very least two folks and wounding greater than 100 in a significant militant assault within the war-torn nation.

The Taliban referred to as it a “revenge assault” for United States airstrikes within the risky province of Kunduz earlier this month that left as much as 32 civilians useless.

The massive explosion, adopted by sporadic gunfire, reverberated throughout the often tranquil metropolis on Thursday, smashing home windows of close by retailers and leaving terrified native residents fleeing for canopy.

“The suicide attacker rammed his explosives-laden automobile into the wall of German consulate within the metropolis,” native police chief Sayed Kamal Sadat advised AFP.

German officers maintain disaster meet

German officers in Kabul declined to remark when contacted by AFP. A diplomatic supply in Berlin mentioned Overseas Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier had convened a disaster assembly at his Ministry.

“There was preventing exterior and on the grounds of the consulate,” a ministry spokesman mentioned. “Afghan safety forces and Resolute Assist [NATO] forces from Camp Marmal [German base in Mazar-i-Sharif] are on the scene.”

Afghan particular forces cordoned off the consulate, beforehand well-known as Mazar Lodge. Helicopters have been heard flying over the diplomatic mission early Friday as ambulances with wailing sirens rushed to the realm, in keeping with an AFP reporter close to the scene.

10 kids among the many wounded

At the very least two useless our bodies and greater than 100 wounded folks — together with at the very least 10 kids — had thus far been introduced to 2 metropolis hospitals, mentioned native physician Noor Mohammad Fayez.

A number of the wounded are in a vital situation, he added.

The carnage underscores worsening insecurity in Afghanistan as Taliban insurgents ramp up nationwide assaults regardless of repeated authorities makes an attempt to jumpstart stalled peace negotiations.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid mentioned the “martyrdom assault” on the German consulate had left “tens of invaders” useless. The insurgents are routinely identified to magnify battlefield claims

Printed – November 11, 2016 09:55 am IST