KABUL:
Four Indians, two Pakistanis and an American were among 14 people killed in a Taliban attack on a guesthouse here with a top Afghan official saying the Indian Ambassador could have been the target of the militants who stormed the complex popular among expats.
The four Indians killed included two private auditors and an NGO worker who were at the Park Palace Guesthouse, located in the Kolola Pushta area of the Kabul city, when the Taliban militants stormed the building at about 0900 PM last night.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s special envoy for good governance Ahmad Zia Massoud said the militants attacked the guesthouse thinking Indian Ambassador Amar Sinha was present in the compound. However, he did not elaborate further.
When asked whether he was scheduled to go there, Sinha said, “I was invited for an event at the guesthouse which is full of expats but I had not confirmed my attendance.”
Confirming that four Indians were among the victims, Sinha said he has been informed by the Afghan authorities that the total number of casualties was 14.
Two Pakistanis, an American, one Italian and a Kazak national were the other foreigners killed in the attack, officials said, noting that rest were all Afghans.
“Terrorists do not recognise borders! Condolences to families of all killed including two nationals of Pakistan in #Kabul attack,” Ambassador Sinha tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a visit to China, spoke to President Ghani. (AGENCIES)
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