KABUL, 28 April 2008 — Militants firing automatic weapons and rockets attacked the Afghan president at a ceremony in Kabul yesterday, missing their target but killing three other people and wounding eight. The Taleban claimed responsibility for the assault that sent President Hamid Karzai and foreign ambassadors scurrying for cover.
Gunmen opened fire as a 21-gun salute echoed over the capital at an anniversary event to mark the mujahedeen victory over the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Hundreds of people, including the army and police that had formed an honor guard inspected by Karzai minutes earlier, fled in chaos as shots rang out. The president was hustled away, surrounded by bodyguards, and left in a convoy of four black SUVs.
The gunfire apparently came from a three-story guesthouse, popular with migrant laborers, about 300 meters from the stands where Karzai was seated alongside Cabinet ministers and senior diplomats who all escaped injury. A lawmaker, who was about 30 meters from the president, was among the dead.
Residents reported that a 30-minute gunbattle then broke out between security forces and gunmen holed up in the guesthouse. Defense Minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak said three attackers were killed by security forces, and assault rifles and machine guns were confiscated. He said three Afghan army soldiers were among the wounded.
Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said six fighters were deployed to target the president, and three of them died in the attack. He said they were armed with guns, rockets and suicide vests, although no suicide bombing was reported.
The initial moments of the attack, which came as a marching band played the finale of the national anthem, were broadcast live until TV transmissions were cut. Hundreds of dignitaries could be seen diving for cover. Two lawmakers were hit by the gunfire. One of the men slumped back in his seat, while the other lay on the ground.
Less than two hours later, Karzai appeared on state-run TV and said, “Everything is OK.” Appearing calm, Karzai said “the enemy of Afghanistan” tried to disrupt the ceremony but was thwarted by security forces. He said several suspects were arrested. He smiled as he signed off his brief recorded statement.
About 100 people were rounded up for questioning, an Afghan intelligence official said. The attack, the first in the capital since mid-March, came despite unprecedented tight security for yesterday’s celebrations.
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer joined several foreign leaders, including from neighboring Pakistan, in condemning yesterday’s attack.
The presidency said Nasir Ahmad Latefi, a local Shiite leader, and a 10-year boy died in the attack. Lawmaker Fazel Rahman Samkanai died of his injuries at a hospital, Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said.
