About 23 mortar shells slammed into different parts of the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least eight people and wounding 31 others, an official said.
The shells were fired from two cars, Interior Ministry spokesperson Tariq Arian said. No one took immediate responsibility for the early morning attack that also targeted the posh Wazir Akbar Khan area of Kabul, which houses diplomatic missions.
Tolo News reported that according to the Interior Affairs Ministry, the rockets landed in Wazir Akbar Khan and Shahr-e-Naw areas in downtown Kabul, Chahar Qala, the Traffic Roundabout, the Gul-e-Surkh Roundabout in PD4, Sedarat Roundabout, the Spinzar Road in the center of the city, near the National Archive road in PD2, and in Lysee Maryam market and Panjsad Family areas in the north of Kabul.
Doctors from Emergency Hospital had earlier stated that one dead and 28 wounded have been taken to the hospital following rocket attacks in the city, Tolo News reported.
Taliban has denied involvement in the attack. In a press conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday, Khan said, as quoted by Al Jazeera, “We notice with concern that the level of violence despite the talks in Qatar, is rising.”
Photos and videos circulating online showed several buildings with damaged walls and windows, including at a large medical complex.
Recent big attacks in Kabul, including two horrific assaults on educational institutions that killed nearly 50 people in recent weeks, follow a familiar pattern in the aftermath, with the Taliban denying any involvement while the Afghan government pins the blame on them or their proxies.
“The rocket attack in Kabul city has nothing to do with the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, using the insurgents’ name for Afghanistan.
The Taliban are under pressure not to attack urban areas, having pledged not to do so under the terms of a US withdrawal deal signed in February.
Pakistan on Saturday strongly condemned the rocket attack at Kabul city that have resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to many.
“We convey our heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives and pray for the early and complete recovery of the injured,” Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in a statement.
