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Govt spokesman killed in Kabul explosion
At least three people including the spokesman for the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF) were killed in an early morning explosion in Kabul city, police confirmed.
According to police, Zia Wadan was killed along with his bodyguard and driver at about 8am local time in a magnetic IED explosion in Karte-Naw in PD8.
“Zia Wadan, the spokesman for the APPF, his bodyguard and driver were killed in this morning’s IED blast in Shahrak Telaie Township in PD8, Kabul city,” police said.
Ministry of Interior spokesman Tariq Arian confirmed one other person was also wounded. Earlier a security source confirmed that Wadan had been targeted.
So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
This comes after a number of Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) members on Saturday blasted government for failing to ensure the safety of the people and accused government of not having established an effective security plan.
The MPs said the continuation of explosions and targeted killings in the country, especially in Kabul, have left the people frustrated, scared and angry.
One MP said no Kabul resident feels safe and that the few criminals that are being arrested is not enough to resolve the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry stated on Saturday that serious security measures have been taken to prevent attacks.
Explosions and targeted killings have spiked in recent months across the country, especially in Kabul.
While some government officials have accused the Taliban of being behind most of the assassinations of public figures, no group has claimed responsibility for these attacks.
The Ministry of Interior has announced the delivery of several new, modern cars to the General Directorate of Traffic Police, replacing the older fleet that consisted mostly of trucks.
According to a ministry statement, the new vehicles, equipped with special traffic police colors, markings, and modern equipment, are expected to play a key role in maintaining traffic order in cities and on main roads, preventing accidents, and providing faster services to the public.
Azerbaijan has released 14 Afghan nationals from its prisons, Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.
The ministry said in a statement that the release happened following efforts by Afghanistan’s embassy in Baku.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation to Azerbaijan and relevant authorities for their cooperation and humanitarian action. It also reaffirmed that the IEA will continue to follow up on and resolve the cases of Afghan prisoners.
Former U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, says Washington is largely satisfied with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) efforts against terrorism, though progress in broader relations remains hindered by the issue of prisoners.
In an interview with NDTV, Khalilzad said the United States views the detention of at least two American citizens in Afghanistan as the primary obstacle to improving ties.
Khalilzad highlighted what he described as a “significant degree of satisfaction” in the U.S. assessment of the IEA’s counterterrorism commitments under the Doha Agreement. He said the IEA continue to fight Daesh, a group they have long considered an enemy. Many Daesh militants, he added, have been pushed out of Afghanistan and are now in Pakistan.
At the same time, Khalilzad said concerns remain regarding human rights and the political role of non-IEA Afghans.
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