Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion has condemned an attack that killed 14 private security guards on their way to protect the Canadian embassy in Kabul on Monday.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the Nepalese and Indian security guards killed, and I wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured,” Dion said in a statement.
“Many of the victims have been part of our embassy family for years, and they will be remembered for their service in the protection of the men and women at the Embassy of Canada to Afghanistan.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the bombing “appalling and cowardly.”
Today’s attack on security workers in Kabul is appalling & cowardly. Our thoughts are with the victims as we stand with the Afghan people.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 20, 2016
The Afghan Interior Ministry described Monday’s attack as the work of a “terrorist suicide bomber.”
It said the explosion also wounded nine people, five Nepalese employees and four Afghan civilians.
Abdullah Abdullah, the country’s chief executive, denounced the bombing as “an act of terror and intimidation.”
I condemn the terrorist attack on those traveling to their work places in Kabul this morning.This attack is an act of terror & intimidation.
— Dr. Abdullah (@afgexecutive) June 20, 2016
The Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of 12 Nepali nationals in the attack on the minibus and released their names, The Kathmandu Post reported. Seven other Nepalese have been injured in the incident, according to the ministry. Their lives are not in danger.
The Associated Press reported from Afghanistan that there were conflicting claims of responsibility for the attack, and that they could not immediately be reconciled.
It said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement and that an affiliate of ISIS also claimed responsibility for the Kabul attack, identifying the suicide bomber as Erfanullah Ahmed.
The private Nepalese guards are a common sight in Kabul where several embassies employ them to provide perimeter security.
With reports from The Canadian Press
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