This Article is From Feb 27, 2010

Kabul blast: Preliminary probe points to Haqqani link

Kabul blast: Preliminary probe points to Haqqani link
Kabul: Preliminary probe shows ISI-Taliban hand in the Friday's attack in Kabul in which 17 people, including nine Indians were killed. Sirajuddin Haqqani faction of Taliban is likely to be behind the attack.

Zabiullah Mujahid, who claimed responsibility for the attack, is a known Haqqani spokesman. Haqqani is also known to be close to Pakistan's ISI. Haqqani's network was also behind the earlier two attacks on Indian Embassy in Kabul.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the six Indians who were killed in the Kabul attack on Friday were flown back to New Delhi in a special Indian Air Force plane. Six bodies and seven injured Indians were on board the Indian Air Force Boeing 737. (Read: Bodies of Indians killed in Kabul brought home)

Before it left, two ceremonial guards of honour presented arms; Presidential and Interior Ministry guards also paid their respect. Six Afghan ministers were also present.

The Indians were killed in a gigantic suicide attack in the heart of Kabul, which killed eight other people. The Indians killed include government officials, and two Army officers. Intelligence sources suggest Indians were the target.

Speaking on the attack, Indian Ambassador to Kabul Jayant Prasad said: "The blast was carried out by people who are against India-Afghan unity. It was an attempt to derail the work being carried out in Afghanistan but this will not stop us, we would continue to help Afghanistan."

Major Jyotin Singh was a doctor with the Army Medical Corps. Major Dipak Yadav, who was with the Army Education Corps, was training Afghan soldiers in English. Both had been in Kabul for over a year and a half.

Intelligence sources have told NDTV that the Noor Guest House, where the Indian mission was staying was targeted. The Indian army medical team - seven Army officers and five paramedics were housed here.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requested Afghan President Hamid Karzai to ensure full protection for Indians in Afghanistan.

Singh made the request when Karzai called him up to express condolence on the loss of Indian nationals in the attacks in Kabul on Friday.

Karzai promised "full investigation" into the incident, PM's media adviser Harish Khare said.

A huge blast took place at the gate of the guest house on Friday morning, its impact so severe that it brought down the roof and created a huge crater. Many rooms caught fire.

Taliban suicide bombers carried out a string of attacks in the heart of Kabul.

The bombers struck at a number of guest houses, including Park Residence, rented out by the Indian embassy for its staffers and those linked to India's developmental work in Afghanistan.

Local officials say 12 Indians were also injured in the attack, which also killed an Italian diplomat, a French tourist and a number of policemen.

This is the fourth attack targeted at Indians in Kabul since July 2008 when 60 people, including four Indian embassy officials, were killed in a massive car bomb attack on the embassy building.
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