The deadliest attack since 2011 hit Kabul this morning when a Taliban suicide bomb and gun assault on a government security building killed at least 64 people, and wounded more than 320 others. The attack targeted a government security team, but most of the victims were civilians, including women and children, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi.

The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility, stating that “first a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden lorry on the gate of the department and then other armed attackers went in and started shooting on the rest of the enemies.” The first suicide bomber detonated his vehicle in a parking lot behind the compound. The second attacker entered the building and engaged in a gun battle with security forces.

The explosion burst windows in neighbouring buildings, which included schools. “Parents [were] running to the doors to take their children. Sad day in Kabul,” said Afghan women’s rights activist Wazhma Frogh. Another witness from a nearby restaurant said, “I was here when a huge explosion happened. I saw three boys with severe head injuries. My uncle was injured and my brother is missing. I don’t know what happened to him.”

Just days ago, a United Nations report spoke of urban warfare causing a spike in the number of civilian deaths and injuries, especially among women and children in Afghanistan this year. “This attack shows the devastation caused by the use of explosive devices in urban areas and once more demonstrates complete disregard for the lives of Afghan civilians. The use of high explosives in civilian populated areas, in circumstances almost certain to cause immense suffering to civilians, may amount to war crimes,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.

To read more, visit:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/19/asia/kabul-explosion/
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-blast-idUSKCN0XG0BO
http://www.euronews.com/newswires/3182611-afghan-taliban-launch-attack-in-central-kabul-killing-at-least-28/
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53718#.VxgwtWOLTww