KABUL: A bomb targeted a senior Shia cleric in the west of Kabul yesterday, police said, shortly before the international military coalition marked its final handover of security to national forces.
At least three civilians were killed and 24 wounded in the blast which happened as Mohammad Mohaqiq, a prominent Hazara politician and cleric, passed by in a convoy, interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said.
Mohaqiq was also a senior member of High Peace Council set up by President Hamid Karzai in 2010 to help broker a peace pact with the Taliban. He escaped unscathed, though several of his bodyguards were wounded, police said.
“It was a suicide attack, in front of the Independent Human Rights Commission office,” a senior aide said.
Mohaqiq, who is likely to play a key role in April’s presidential vote, said: “Four of my guards are wounded and are in hospital,” he said.
“I heard a big explosion on the side of the car. Only my cloak is a little burned, other than that I’m fine.”
Mohammad Zahir, police investigations chief in Kabul, said at the scene that an improvised explosive device was detonated. The blast occurred about 90 minutes before hundreds of local and international officials watched a ceremony on the outskirts of the capital to mark the security handover of the final tranche of 95 districts to Afghan control.
Many Afghan leaders say Pakistan is helping the militants in Afghanistan to counter India’s influence. Known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban is a separate entity though allied with the Afghan Taliban.
Spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsansaid said the Pakistani group would support peace talks, and respect a peace agreement by not carrying out cross-border attacks. But he said such an agreement would not apply to the Pakistani Taliban at home. “We are independent from the Afghan Taliban and are fighting for the implementation of Sharia Law in Pakistan,” he said. “We will continue to fight against drone attacks and the Pakistan army and government, who are under US influence.” Reuters
