Taliban suicide bomber targets free speech in Kabul with attack on media personnel

Seven Kaboora Production Employees Killed In Kabul Blast
Wednesday, 20 January 2016 21:01

Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 January 2016 22:30

Written by TOLOnews.com

A suicide bomber detonated explosives on Wednesday evening targeting a civilian bus that was carrying over 30 staff from Kaboora Production, which is a sister entity to TOLO TV, Lemar TV, Arman FM, Arakozia FM and TOLOnews.

At least seven staff members were killed in the attack and 26 injured.

The official statement from TOLO TV states: "We condemn these terrorist attacks that kill innocent Afghans. We await for an update from security and government officials on the details of the attack."

The incident took place just after 5pm on the Darul Aman Road close to the Russian Embassy.

President Ashraf Ghani issued a statement immediately condemning the attack "in the strongest possible words".

CEO Abdullah Abdullah also condemned the attack and tweeted: "I strongly condemn the coward terrorist attack targeting personnel of Kaboora Production and TOLOnews in Kabul this evening."

Abdullah visited the victims of the deadly blast late Wednesday night.

He walked through wards at the Kabul Emergency Hospital and stopped and chatted to a few victims.

Once finished he spoke to TOLOnews and said that freedom of speech and freedom of the press are major achievements of Afghanistan over the past 14 years.

He said such attacks would not stop the people from speaking out.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

[END REPORT]