KABUL: Multiple bomb blasts and at least one attack by a gunman in Kabul on Thursday killed at least 60 Afghans and 13 US service personnel, and plunged the evacuation of western forces from Afghanistan into deeper crisis.
The health official said at least 60 people were killed in the blast, including children, and many Taliban guards were wounded. Later in a statement, the Taliban condemned the attack saying it occurred in an area “controlled by US forces”.
While condemning the attack, US President Joe Biden said, “We will hunt you down and make you pay.” He declined to extend his 31 August deadline for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan but promised to evacuate any American citizens who want to leave. “To those who carried out these attacks today – as well as anyone who wishes America harm – know this: we will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,” he added.
Meanwhile, US officials strongly believe that the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State, known as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), was responsible for the attack. ISIS-K is opposed by the United States and the Taliban.