US troops, Afghans killed in suicide attack near Kabul airport; Take a look at what happened
A health official and a Taliban official said the toll of Afghans killed had risen to 72, including 28 Taliban members.
13 US soldiers lost their lives in the attack
U.S. forces helping to evacuate Afghans desperate to flee Taliban rule braced for more attacks on Friday after an Islamic State suicide bomber killed 85 people, including 13 US soldiers outside the gates of Kabul airport.
Pic Credit: IANS
The death toll has risen to over 70 people killed
A health official and a Taliban official said the toll of Afghans killed had risen to 72, including 28 Taliban members, although a Taliban spokesman later denied that any of their fighters guarding the airport perimeter had been killed.
Pic credit: Reuters
Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack
Islamic State (ISIS), an enemy of the Taliban as well as the West, said one of its suicide bombers targeted "translators and collaborators with the American army". U.S. officials vowed retribution.
Pic credit: Reuters
General Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, said commanders were on alert for more attacks
"We`re doing everything we can to be prepared," he said, adding that some intelligence was being shared with the Taliban and that he believed "some attacks have been thwarted by them."
Pic credit: Reuters
Taliban claimed none of their people were killed in the blast
A Taliban official lamented the number of his members killed, saying they had lost more men that the Americans, but Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid later said no Taliban were killed in the twin blasts.
Pic credit: Reuters
The Taliban would tighten security around the airport, said a diplomat
"Security is their responsibility," the diplomat said, adding that the Taliban should investigate the Islamic State network.
Pic credit: Reuters
Thousands of people will be left behind after the US troops complete their withdrawal
In the past 12 days, Western countries have evacuated nearly 100,000 people. But they acknowledge that thousands will be left behind when the last U.S. troops leave at the end of the month.
Pic credit: IANS
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