Deadly explosion takes heavy tolls in Afghan capital

A deafening explosion shaking the Afghan capital claimed at least five lives and injured many others including some foreigners late Sunday afternoon, sending a strong signal to the transitional Afghan government and the international community the upcoming presidential elections will not be worry-free.

The explosion took place at 5:45 PM local time when a white-colored Land Cruiser sped toward the gate of Dynacore, a private American security company. A loud explosion ensued instantly.

According to eyewitnesses, some Nepal guards hired by the American firm, which were believed to train bodyguards for the transitional government, were killed or injured on the spot, with one of them suffered serious head injuries.

General Baba Jan, police chief of the capital, told Xinhua thatfive people were killed, and at least one of them were American, and six other foreigners, three of them women, sustained injuries.All the injured people were sent to nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

A first-aid officer said he helped take four bodies and a pair of maimed limbs to a local hospital for keeping. Some local sources believe the actual casualties would be much higher.

A resident who lived near the site thought the Americans might start bombing the city again, as what they did in late 2001.

Houses in the perimeter of one square meter suffered heavy damages, with many of the windowpanes shattered into pieces. The house that was nearest to the explosion site was caught on fire.

A dozen of vehicles nearby were seriously damaged. The site was cordoned off by American soldiers and Afghan policemen.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to local sources.

Earlier in the day, diplomatic sources in the city have warned that might be some attacks on foreign interests and foreigners were advised to stay at home.

This is first deadly terrorist attack over the fortnight.

A rocket shell landed in the front of the Chinese embassy some two weeks ago, and fortunately no one was hurt.

In the ensuing 10 days, the Taliban stopped attacks across the country. Then the attack on foreign and Afghan government interests resumed, signaling a new wave of violent attacks have started.

The Taliban and its al Qaeda allies have threatened to derail with all means the first-ever presidential elections after the fundamentalist regime was dethroned under an American-led military campaign in late 2001.

Source: Xinhua