At least 16 dead, including foreigners, in Kabul attack

Taliban claims responsibility for assault on eatery popular with foreign workers and affluent Afghans.

Afghan security forces assist an injured man after an attack on a Kabul restaurant popular with foreigners on January 17 in which 16 people were killed. Massoud Hossaini / AP Photo

KABUL // A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Kabul restaurant filled with foreigners and affluent Afghans, while two gunmen entered in through the back door and opened fire in a brazen dinnertime attack on Friday that killed 16 people.

The Taliban claimed responsibility within an hour of the attack against La Taverna du Liban, part of a stepped up campaign of violence against foreign and government interests to send a message that they are not going anywhere as the US-led coalition winds down its combat mission at the end of the year. All three attackers also died.

The assault began with the suicide bomber detonating his explosives at the front door of the restaurant, which is located in an area housing several embassies, non-governmental organisations and Afghan officials, according to security officials. As chaos ensued, the two other attackers entered through the kitchen and began shooting. They were later killed by guards, the officials said.

Kabul’s police chief, Gen Mohammad Zahir Zahir, said the 16 people killed were all inside the restaurant, located in the diplomatic quarter in central Wazir Akbar Khan area. He said foreigners and Afghans were among the dead, but did not provide a breakdown.

Four United Nations employes who “reportedly could have been present in close proximity to the scene of the attack” remained “unaccounted for”, said Ari Gaitanis, a spokesman for the UN mission in Afghanistan.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed responsibility for the attack, which he said targeted foreign officials.

“There was a suicide attack on a foreign hotel where special foreign invaders are coming for dinner. In this attack an explosive was used which was very strong and heavy casualties and massive destruction happened,” he said.

Zabihullah said the targets of the attack included “high-ranking German officials.” The German foreign ministry said it was looking into the report. The Taliban frequently provide exaggerated casualty figures.

Insurgents have frequently targeted foreign interests around the country and in Kabul. The Taliban have stepped up a campaign of violence in recent months after foreign forces handed over control of security for the country to the Afghan army and police ahead of their full withdrawal by the end of 2014.

* Associated Press