Mortar shells strike Kabul as Afghans mark Independence Day | Inquirer News

Mortar shells strike Kabul as Afghans mark Independence Day

/ 02:46 PM August 18, 2020

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani sings the national anthem after laying flowers on the Independence Minaret monument during the Independence Day celebrations at the Defense Ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

KABUL, Afghanistan  — Several mortar shells slammed into various parts of Kabul on Tuesday morning as Afghans marked their country’s Independence Day amid new uncertainties over the start of talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government.

No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack and there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Interior Ministry’s spokesman, Tariq Arian, said the mortars were fired from two vehicles in the northern and eastern part of the Afghan capital.

FEATURED STORIES

According to eyewitnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals, at least one mortar shell landed in the upscale Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood, where diplomats and senior government officials reside.

The attack came a day after the government said it would not release the last 320 Taliban prisoners it holds until the insurgents free more captured Afghan soldiers. The decision went against that of a traditional Afghan council held earlier this month — the Loya Jirga — and is likely to further delay intra-Afghan peace talks sought by the United States.

Article continues after this advertisement

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he wasn’t aware of the mortar attack in Kabul. The Islamic State group’s affiliate, which operates in Afghanistan, has interrupted national celebrations in the past with rocket fire.

Also on Tuesday morning, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani attended an Independence Day ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Kabul, inspecting an honor guard and laying flowers on the Independence Minaret monument there.

/MUF
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Afghanistan, Taliban

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.