New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan’s first Vice President Amrullah Saleh had a narrow escape when his convoy was targeted early this morning in Taimani area of PD 4 in Kabul city, reports TOLO news.
The incident took place two days after the former intelligence chief raised the issue of Durand Line and talked about Peshawar as summer capital of Islamic Republic.
According to Tariq Arian, Interior Ministry spokesman, 10 people were killed and 16 were wounded in the powerful Kabul blast targeting the convoy of VP Saleh.
Saleh survived the attack although some of his staff and bodyguards were wounded, reports TOLO news.
Three in Saleh’s convoy, including bodyguards, were wounded in the blast, Rezwan Murad, head of public relations for the vice president’s office told TOLO news, adding that Saleh was not hurt in the blast.
Ebad Saleh, VP Saleh’s son, tweeted that he was with his father when the blast hit their convoy and said: “I assure you he’s fine and everybody is fine, no martyrs from us just yet.”
In a video message, Saleh confirmed that his convoy was attacked, his security guards were injured, and that he has minor wounds on his hand and face. He also apologised for the harm done to bystanders in the attack.
According to TOLO news, the blast took place when three vehicles belonging to Saleh’s security guards were passing the area.
Meanwhile, the Taliban has issued a statement denying involvement in the blast.
The attack on Saleh, a former Northern Alliance leader, comes at a time when the country is remembering Ahmad Shah Massoud, the late anti-Taliban resistance leader who sacrificed his life for the liberty and freedom of his country. Massoud was assassinated two days before the twin towers went down in the US.
It also comes at a time when the Taliban is planning to hold intra-Afghan negotiations in Qatar’s capital city Doha with the support of US.
-ARK
