16 killed, hundreds injured in attack on “Green Village Compound” in Kabul

KABUL, Sept. 3 (YPA) – At least 16 people were killed and 119 injured in a huge explosion near “Green Village Compound” in Kabul, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said on Tuesday.

The blast occurred near Green Village, a large compound that houses aid agencies and international organisations, The Interior Ministry spokesman added.

“Following the explosion of a car bomb at the southern wall of the green village which is a populated area at around 10:00 last night, 16 civilians and villagers were killed and over 119 injured,” the ministry said in a statement.

The huge explosion, which was heard in large parts of the city, caused extensive damage to homes and shops 2 kilometres from the area where a similar attack occurred about a year ago.

The Afghan Interior Ministry statement revealed that security officers killed five Taliban gunmen who were in the process of attacking the camp, noting that 400 foreigners inside the compound were rescued and evacuated to safe areas.

The Green Village compound is the hub of many foreign offices and relief agencies operating in Afghanistan, and is being protected by heightened security and dozens of heavily armed security personnel.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they were inside the compound and had killed a large number of foreigners.

They also claimed to have “destroyed all foreigner residences and offices inside Green Village”.The casualties have been transferred to nearby hospitals, Rahimi said, warning that the initial numbers were likely to change.

E.M