Suicide Blast in Kabul's Diplomatic Enclave
Several buildings ripped apart, at least eight people were killed.
KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2009 — -- Large clouds of black smoke filled the sky this morning after a suicide blast ripped apart several buildings and cars in the usually quiet neighborhood of Wazir Akbar Khan. The explosion in the diplomatic area of Kabul, a section of the city full of embassies and non-governmental organizations, killed eight and injured at least 40 people.
The blast is believed to have targeted the home of Ahmed Zia Masoud, the first vice president of Afghanistan, who left office just a few weeks ago. The explosion occurred outside the security gates of the Heetal Hotel, which is frequented by westerners, and across the street from the former police chief of Kabul.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that eight civilians were killed in the blast, four women and four men. Among the dead were Masoud's secretary and bodyguard, two nieces of the former police chief, one of the guards at the Heetal Hotel, and one foreigner, an Indian.
President Hamid Karzai, who strongly condemned the attack, has ordered officials to find those responsible. "This terrorist attack, which killed and wounded innocent civilians, was an attack on humanity and Islam," Karzai said.
Three homes, including the former vice president's, were severely damaged and windows in nearby buildings were shattered. A large cloud of dark gray smoke rose from the area as firefighters worked to extinguish flames.
Masoud himself was home, but is not severely injured. Just a few feet away, the rooms of the Heetal Hotel -- owned by Masoud's in-laws -- were littered with glass. Almost all the hotel's windows were destroyed by the force of the blast.
The hotel is full of foreigners, and they could be seen wheeling out their luggage this afternoon, heading to other guest houses and hotels.
