Bomb kills six in Kabul ahead of talks on US-Afghan security agreement

Zee Media Bureau/Tarun Khanna Kabul: A car bomb blew up on Saturday near the site in Kabul, killing at least six and wounding dozens where contentious US-Afghan security pact is to be discussed next week. Defence Ministry spokesman Gen Mohammed Zahir Azimi said that the explosive-laden vehicle rammed into an armored vehicle posted about 200 metres from the giant tent where the Loya Jirga is to be held. The eyewitnesses claim to have seen several bodies. Though no group has claimed the attack, suspicion is falling on Taliban which do not want foreign soldiers in Afghanistan. As informed, four civilians, one police and one soldier have been killed in the bomb blast. Those who have been injured are mostly civilians. The bomb struck the capital within a few hours after Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai announced that draft of US-Afghan security pact has been finalised to be presented in Loya Jirga council. Moreover, the soldiers were providing security at the site for the meeting on the pact. Around 3,000 elders, parliamentarians and influential figures are expected to be debating on the security pact. The debate is expected to last for many days.

The agreement would allow the remaining US troops to provide training and mentoring to Afghanistan’s National Security Force.