The death toll from a late-night suicide Taliban attack in the Afghan capital rose to 16 civilians on Tuesday, with 119 people wounded, an official said. Angry Kabul residents climbed over the wall into the international compound, which has been targeted frequently, and set part of it on fire.
Thick black smoke rose from the Green Village, home to several international organisations and guesthouses and often a target of attacks — a peril to nearby local residents as well.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack had destroyed rooms and offices of “invaders”. “Enemy claims of civilian losses are false as no civilians were allowed close to the site of the attack,” he said in a tweet.
The attack occurred just hours after Zalmay Khalilzad, the special US envoy for peace in Afghanistan, briefed the Afghan government on an agreement “in principle” with the Taliban that would see 5,000 US troops leave the country within five months.
Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said some 400 foreigners had been rescued after the suicide bomber targeted the compound late on Monday. The blast occurred on the street outside and destroyed a number of homes.