At least two blasts rattled a large ceremony in western Kabul Thursday, with the event abruptly cancelled and sending attendees fleeing — including chief executive Abdullah Abdullah and other leading government officials.
“Stay calm, the area of the blast is far from us,” said former lower house speaker Mohammad Younus Qanooni during a live broadcast of the event.
But moments after the announcement, another explosion could be heard that sent people running for the exit.
A second unidenitifed voice then addressed the screaming crowd, saying: “I request my countrymen to stay calm. The mortar attack is far from the gathering.”
The blasts happened during a ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the death of Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari that was attended by many of the country´s political elite, including Abdullah and former President Hamid Karzai.
Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani — who was at the scene — later tweeted “terrorists launched rocket attacks on commemoration ceremony”, and said he had escaped safely.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, and no casualties have been reported.
Pakistan condemned the attack and said it stands with the people of Afghanistan in their resolve to defeat extremism and terrorism. Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted, “Pakistan condemns reported rocket attack near a political gathering in Afghanistan that has led to injuries to many people. Further details are coming in. Pakistan stands with the people of Afghanistan in their resolve to defeat extremism and terrorism.”The incident comes as US and Taliban negotiations continue to hold peace talks in Qatar aimed at ending the nearly 18-year conflict.
