KABUL: At least 10 people, including six members of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s honour guards, were wounded when several mortar shells struck at different parts of Kabul as Afghans marked their country’s Independence Day today.
According to the Interior Ministry’s spokesperson, Tariq Arian, a total of 14 mortar shells were fired from two vehicles in the northern and eastern part of the Afghan capital. Four children were among the wounded.
“Most of the mortar shells hit residential houses,” he said, adding that an investigation was underway. No militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said he wasn’t aware of the mortar attack in Kabul. The Islamic State group’s affiliate, which operates in Afghanistan, has interrupted national celebrations in the past with rocket fire.
While talking to media eyewitnesses said at least one mortar shell landed in the upscale Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood, where diplomats and senior government officials reside.
The attack came a day after the government said it would not release the last 320 Taliban inmates it holds until the insurgents free more captured Afghan soldiers.
On Tuesday morning, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani attended an Independence Day ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Kabul, inspecting an honour guard and laying flowers on the Independence Minaret monument there.
In August 2018, multiple rockets were fired in Kabul, including at the presidential palace, where Ghani was making a speech. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.
Ghani’s swearing-in ceremony on 9 March 2020 was also interrupted by rocket fire near the palace. No serious injuries were reported at the time.
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