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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan parliament attacked by Taliban suicide bomber and gunmen | Afghanistan parliament attacked by Taliban suicide bomber and gunmen |
| (7 months later) | |
| 11.28am BST | 11.28am BST |
| 11:28 | 11:28 |
| Sune Engel Rasmussen | Sune Engel Rasmussen |
| Here’s Sune Engel Rasmussen’s report on the attack from Kabul. | Here’s Sune Engel Rasmussen’s report on the attack from Kabul. |
| Now that the attack is over we are going to bring this blog to a close. | Now that the attack is over we are going to bring this blog to a close. |
| Here’s a roundup of what happened: | Here’s a roundup of what happened: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.28am BST | at 11.28am BST |
| 11.23am BST | 11.23am BST |
| 11:23 | 11:23 |
| India’s prime minster, Narendra Modi, has also condemned the attack. | India’s prime minster, Narendra Modi, has also condemned the attack. |
| The attack on the Afghanistan Parliament is a despicable & cowardly act. There is no place for such attacks in a democracy. | The attack on the Afghanistan Parliament is a despicable & cowardly act. There is no place for such attacks in a democracy. |
| My prayers are with those injured. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Afghanistan in this hour. | My prayers are with those injured. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Afghanistan in this hour. |
| Britain has also condemned the attack. Tobias Elwood, foreign office minister responsible for Afghanistan, described it as an “appalling attack”. | Britain has also condemned the attack. Tobias Elwood, foreign office minister responsible for Afghanistan, described it as an “appalling attack”. |
| Condemn today's appalling attack on Afghan Parliament. UK stands beside all who are working to build a democratic & peaceful #Afghanistan | Condemn today's appalling attack on Afghan Parliament. UK stands beside all who are working to build a democratic & peaceful #Afghanistan |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.34am BST | at 11.34am BST |
| 11.22am BST | 11.22am BST |
| 11:22 | 11:22 |
| The UN’s mission in Afghanistan has given no more details about casualties after tweeting that a woman and child were killed and 40 injured. | The UN’s mission in Afghanistan has given no more details about casualties after tweeting that a woman and child were killed and 40 injured. |
| But Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN’s special representative for Afghanistan has issued a statement condemning the attack as “an affront to democracy”. It said: | But Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN’s special representative for Afghanistan has issued a statement condemning the attack as “an affront to democracy”. It said: |
| “The attack against Parliament, for which the Taliban have claimed responsibility, is a clear and deliberate affront to democracy in Afghanistan – An attack against the Afghan peoples’ democratically elected representatives. | “The attack against Parliament, for which the Taliban have claimed responsibility, is a clear and deliberate affront to democracy in Afghanistan – An attack against the Afghan peoples’ democratically elected representatives. |
| Unama is also deeply concerned by reports of civilian casualties from the attack and re-iterates that international humanitarian law, which binds all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan, including the Taliban, prohibits attacks against civilians at any time and in any place. This includes civilian government workers.” | Unama is also deeply concerned by reports of civilian casualties from the attack and re-iterates that international humanitarian law, which binds all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan, including the Taliban, prohibits attacks against civilians at any time and in any place. This includes civilian government workers.” |
| 11.13am BST | 11.13am BST |
| 11:13 | 11:13 |
| Pakistan’s prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has condemned the attack, according to Radio Pakistan. | Pakistan’s prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has condemned the attack, according to Radio Pakistan. |
| In a message to the Afghan Government the Sharif said that terrorism is common enemy of both countries and steps are being taken in unison to defeat the nefarious designs of the terrorists. | In a message to the Afghan Government the Sharif said that terrorism is common enemy of both countries and steps are being taken in unison to defeat the nefarious designs of the terrorists. |
| The Prime Minister also extended condolences to those injured in this incident. | The Prime Minister also extended condolences to those injured in this incident. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.13am BST | at 11.13am BST |
| 11.00am BST | 11.00am BST |
| 11:00 | 11:00 |
| AP has grim photographs of the bodies of the Taliban attackers being carried away near the Parliament building. | AP has grim photographs of the bodies of the Taliban attackers being carried away near the Parliament building. |
| 10.47am BST | 10.47am BST |
| 10:47 | 10:47 |
| Two killed, says UN | Two killed, says UN |
| The UN mission in Afghanistan says a woman and child were killed in the attack, and 40 civilians were injured. | The UN mission in Afghanistan says a woman and child were killed in the attack, and 40 civilians were injured. |
| #_UNAMA_: 2 civilians (a woman and child) killed, 40 civilians injured in #Taliban attack on #Afghan parliament. | #_UNAMA_: 2 civilians (a woman and child) killed, 40 civilians injured in #Taliban attack on #Afghan parliament. |
| 10.44am BST | 10.44am BST |
| 10:44 | 10:44 |
| Here’s a summary of what happened: | Here’s a summary of what happened: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.45am BST | at 10.45am BST |
| 10.21am BST | 10.21am BST |
| 10:21 | 10:21 |
| Afghan MP Naqibullah Faiq who was in parliament during the attack has uploaded a number of photos of the aftermath to his Facebook page. | Afghan MP Naqibullah Faiq who was in parliament during the attack has uploaded a number of photos of the aftermath to his Facebook page. |
| 10.10am BST | 10.10am BST |
| 10:10 | 10:10 |
| Here’s better video of the extraordinary calm under fire displayed by Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahim. | Here’s better video of the extraordinary calm under fire displayed by Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahim. |
| 10.05am BST | 10.05am BST |
| 10:05 | 10:05 |
| There are unconfirmed reports that five people were killed in the attack. Tolo News said one of those killed was a child, citing a security official outside Parliament. | There are unconfirmed reports that five people were killed in the attack. Tolo News said one of those killed was a child, citing a security official outside Parliament. |
| KABUL UPDATE - Security official outside Parliament says five civilians, including a child, were killed in today's attack. | KABUL UPDATE - Security official outside Parliament says five civilians, including a child, were killed in today's attack. |
| 10.03am BST | 10.03am BST |
| 10:03 | 10:03 |
| Here’s a map showing where the attack took place. | Here’s a map showing where the attack took place. |
| 9.56am BST | 9.56am BST |
| 09:56 | 09:56 |
| Police secure the scene | Police secure the scene |
| The Taliban attack on the symbolic centre of power, which sent up a plume of black smoke across Kabul, was one of the most brazen in years, according to Reuters. | The Taliban attack on the symbolic centre of power, which sent up a plume of black smoke across Kabul, was one of the most brazen in years, according to Reuters. |
| But it now appears to be over. | But it now appears to be over. |
| A standoff close 2 the Afghan Parliament has ended with at least Seven Taliban attackers’ dead & dozens of civilians wounded, officials say. | A standoff close 2 the Afghan Parliament has ended with at least Seven Taliban attackers’ dead & dozens of civilians wounded, officials say. |
| Parliament Attackers Killed, Situation Under Control http://t.co/PHmtn0IUVb pic.twitter.com/pkFIw58qAr | Parliament Attackers Killed, Situation Under Control http://t.co/PHmtn0IUVb pic.twitter.com/pkFIw58qAr |
| 9.45am BST | 9.45am BST |
| 09:45 | 09:45 |
| The Health Ministry has confirmed that 31 people were injured, as Sune reported earlier. | The Health Ministry has confirmed that 31 people were injured, as Sune reported earlier. |
| KABUL UPDATE: Health Ministry officials confirm 31 injured, all civilians, in Parliament attack. | KABUL UPDATE: Health Ministry officials confirm 31 injured, all civilians, in Parliament attack. |
| Previously, Health Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kahousi told AP that 18 civilians were wounded, including two women and two children. | Previously, Health Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kahousi told AP that 18 civilians were wounded, including two women and two children. |
| Sidiqa Mubarez, a member of parliament, said the building was rocked by a large explosion and that some people were wounded by flying glass. | Sidiqa Mubarez, a member of parliament, said the building was rocked by a large explosion and that some people were wounded by flying glass. |
| She said the explosion happened shortly after Masoom Stanekzai had arrived to be confirmed as defense minister, a post that has been vacant for nine months. | She said the explosion happened shortly after Masoom Stanekzai had arrived to be confirmed as defense minister, a post that has been vacant for nine months. |
| An Associated Press reporter heard heavy gunfire outside the parliament and saw black smoke billowing from the entrance as ambulances raced to the scene. The reporter later heard sporadic shooting from the building where the militants were said to be holed up. | An Associated Press reporter heard heavy gunfire outside the parliament and saw black smoke billowing from the entrance as ambulances raced to the scene. The reporter later heard sporadic shooting from the building where the militants were said to be holed up. |
| Just down the street, hundreds of children were evacuated from a school. | Just down the street, hundreds of children were evacuated from a school. |
| 9.34am BST | 9.34am BST |
| 09:34 | 09:34 |
| The official who tried to carry on talking after the attack has been identified Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, the speaker of the Afghan parliament. He is being hailed as something of a hero. | The official who tried to carry on talking after the attack has been identified Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, the speaker of the Afghan parliament. He is being hailed as something of a hero. |
| Storyful’s Iain Martin notes how “totally unfazed” he was by the blast. | Storyful’s Iain Martin notes how “totally unfazed” he was by the blast. |
| Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, speaker of the Afghan parliament, totally unfazed by a huge explosion rocking the building https://t.co/EP4w2bDqrs | Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, speaker of the Afghan parliament, totally unfazed by a huge explosion rocking the building https://t.co/EP4w2bDqrs |
| Others also noted his extraordinary calm under fire. | Others also noted his extraordinary calm under fire. |
| #ballsofsteel the #Afghan speaker of parliament stayed calm through the whole bombing! And went on to calm everybody else down! | #ballsofsteel the #Afghan speaker of parliament stayed calm through the whole bombing! And went on to calm everybody else down! |
| Is anyone watching @SkyNews and the footage of the bombing in afghan parliament? The speaker was as calm as shit | Is anyone watching @SkyNews and the footage of the bombing in afghan parliament? The speaker was as calm as shit |
| 9.22am BST | 9.22am BST |
| 09:22 | 09:22 |
| The assault on such a high-profile target in downtown Kabul raises fresh questions about security as Afghan forces battle a resurgent Taliban for the first time without the aid of Nato forces, AFP points out. | The assault on such a high-profile target in downtown Kabul raises fresh questions about security as Afghan forces battle a resurgent Taliban for the first time without the aid of Nato forces, AFP points out. |
| The Taliban launched a countrywide offensive in late April, stepping up attacks on government and foreign targets in what is expected to be the bloodiest fighting season in a decade. | The Taliban launched a countrywide offensive in late April, stepping up attacks on government and foreign targets in what is expected to be the bloodiest fighting season in a decade. |
| The militants recently rebuffed requests from senior Afghan clerics to halt attacks during the fasting month of Ramadan even as a surge in violence has sent civilian casualties soaring. | The militants recently rebuffed requests from senior Afghan clerics to halt attacks during the fasting month of Ramadan even as a surge in violence has sent civilian casualties soaring. |
| A group of suicide attackers last tried to storm parliament in 2012 as they launched coordinated attacks in several parts of the capital, including several diplomatic enclaves. | A group of suicide attackers last tried to storm parliament in 2012 as they launched coordinated attacks in several parts of the capital, including several diplomatic enclaves. |
| Afghan authorities have repeatedly tried to jumpstart talks with the Taliban in the hope of ending the 13-year conflict, but the militants have set tough conditions, including the withdrawal of all foreign troops in Afghanistan. | Afghan authorities have repeatedly tried to jumpstart talks with the Taliban in the hope of ending the 13-year conflict, but the militants have set tough conditions, including the withdrawal of all foreign troops in Afghanistan. |
| Nato’s combat mission formally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force of about 12,500 mainly US troops has stayed on to train and support local security personnel. | Nato’s combat mission formally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force of about 12,500 mainly US troops has stayed on to train and support local security personnel. |
| President Ashraf Ghani’s government has drawn criticism for failing to end growing insurgent attacks, which critics partly blame on political infighting and a lengthy delay in appointing a defence minister. | President Ashraf Ghani’s government has drawn criticism for failing to end growing insurgent attacks, which critics partly blame on political infighting and a lengthy delay in appointing a defence minister. |
| Ghani last month nominated Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, a top official in the government body overseeing the country’s peace process, for the job. | Ghani last month nominated Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, a top official in the government body overseeing the country’s peace process, for the job. |
| The post had been left vacant for months due to disagreements between Ghani and his chief executive and former presidential election rival, Abdullah Abdullah, but Stanekzai is expected to be confirmed by Afghanistan’s parliament soon. | The post had been left vacant for months due to disagreements between Ghani and his chief executive and former presidential election rival, Abdullah Abdullah, but Stanekzai is expected to be confirmed by Afghanistan’s parliament soon. |
| 9.17am BST | 9.17am BST |
| 09:17 | 09:17 |
| More than 30 people injured | More than 30 people injured |
| Sune Engel Rasmussen | Sune Engel Rasmussen |
| Kabir Amiri, a spokesman of Kabul hospitals said 31 people, all civilians, were wounded in the attack, writes Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul | Kabir Amiri, a spokesman of Kabul hospitals said 31 people, all civilians, were wounded in the attack, writes Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul |
| Najeeb Danish, deputy spokesman of the interior ministry, confirmed that all seven attackers were killed by the security forces after the attack. He added that up to 15 civilians were injured from the car bomb blast that targeted the gate outside the parliament building. | Najeeb Danish, deputy spokesman of the interior ministry, confirmed that all seven attackers were killed by the security forces after the attack. He added that up to 15 civilians were injured from the car bomb blast that targeted the gate outside the parliament building. |
| Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahed said the group deliberately targeted the parliament today because the minister of defence was due to be introduced, and there would be many high-profile officials. | Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahed said the group deliberately targeted the parliament today because the minister of defence was due to be introduced, and there would be many high-profile officials. |
| Apparently Masoom Stanekzai, the nominated minister, was not in the parliament at the time of the attack. | Apparently Masoom Stanekzai, the nominated minister, was not in the parliament at the time of the attack. |
| 9.11am BST | 9.11am BST |
| 09:11 | 09:11 |
| All attackers killed | All attackers killed |
| All seven attackers have been killed, according to Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry. | All seven attackers have been killed, according to Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry. |
| َAfghan Police repelled terrorist attack today on AFG Parliament, killing all 7 attackers, no MP was wounded, | َAfghan Police repelled terrorist attack today on AFG Parliament, killing all 7 attackers, no MP was wounded, |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.11am BST | at 9.11am BST |
| 9.06am BST | 9.06am BST |
| 09:06 | 09:06 |
| Six gunmen killed | Six gunmen killed |
| Six Taliban gunmen who attacked the parliament have been killed, police said according to Reuters. | Six Taliban gunmen who attacked the parliament have been killed, police said according to Reuters. |
| Ebadullah Karimi, the Kabul police spokesman, said one Taliban fighter driving a car detonated a bomb outside parliament gates and six others took up positions near the building. Afghan forces killed six of them and all lawmakers were safe, he said. | Ebadullah Karimi, the Kabul police spokesman, said one Taliban fighter driving a car detonated a bomb outside parliament gates and six others took up positions near the building. Afghan forces killed six of them and all lawmakers were safe, he said. |
| 8.59am BST | 8.59am BST |
| 08:59 | 08:59 |
| There are conflicting reports about the number of people injured in the attack. Earlier Tolo News said 21 civilians were injured citing health officials. | There are conflicting reports about the number of people injured in the attack. Earlier Tolo News said 21 civilians were injured citing health officials. |
| But the the director of an emergency hospital in Kabul told Sune Engel Rasmussen that there were no reliable figures because of the confusion. He said his hospital was treating three people injured in the blast, and that other hospitals were also treating wounded. | But the the director of an emergency hospital in Kabul told Sune Engel Rasmussen that there were no reliable figures because of the confusion. He said his hospital was treating three people injured in the blast, and that other hospitals were also treating wounded. |