Newspapers slam 'cowardly' attack as anger grows

Change of govt policy called for after latest terrorist atrocity leaves 103 dead

KABUL - Afghan newspapers in their editorials on Sunday described the suicide attack that rocked the fortified capital city of Kabul on Saturday as a "coward terrorist offensive and carnage of innocent people" and called upon government to change its war policy against militants.

In the deadly suicide bombing for which Taliban outfit has claimed responsibility, 103 people, the majority of whom are civilians were confirmed dead on Sunday, with authorities saying 235 people were injured.

Camouflaging the explosive-laden vehicle as an ambulance and detonating it on Saturday in Char Rah-i-Sidarat area, a central part in downtown city located close to several government buildings and a hospital, the bloody attack is the second one of its kind over the past week.

One week ago, on Jan 20, Taliban militants stormed the luxury Intercontinental Hotel, frequented by foreigners and Afghan officials, killing at least 18 people including 14 foreigners and injuring over a dozen others.

"The two deadly attacks on two Saturdays against civilians in a span of one week clearly exposes the cruelty of terrorist groups and their enmity with human beings," newspaper Afghanistan-e-Ma said in its editorial.

"Killing innocent civilians including women and children by terrorists is a blatant violation of all international laws and clearly speaks of the terrorists' resolve to continue targeting Afghans," the newspaper said, calling upon government to "review the policy and revamp its strategy on the war against terrorist and make peace" with the armed oppositions.

Another Kabul-based newspaper, Etilaat-i-Roz, has also focused on the deadly ambulance suicide bombing and said "it is the second deadly terrorist attack in Kabul over the past one week" claimed by a Taliban group.

"Organizing deadly suicide attacks in big cities such as Kabul, by Taliban militants is an indication of change in the militant group's tactic and their resolve for fighting back the government instead of joining peace," the paper said in its editorial.

The newspaper also called upon authorities to review the security measures and protect the lives and property of citizens by all possible means.

Kabul remained on high alert as the presidential palace declared a national day of mourning for Sunday, with flags flying at half-mast.

Central Kabul was unusually quiet on Sunday, a normal workday in Afghanistan, with little traffic and few people on the street.

In contrast, security checkpoints have been beefed up, particularly in the streets near the blast scene, as the city braced for the possibility of further violence.

A security alert issued on Sunday warned that the Islamic State group - which claimed a deadly attack on Save the Children's office in Afghanistan's east on Wednesday - was planning to attack supermarkets and shops in Kabul frequented by foreigners.

The government has blamed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network, which Afghan and Western officials suspect of involvement in at least some of the recent attacks in the capital.

Ordinary Afghans took to social media to express their anguish and sorrow at rapidly worsening security as the Taliban and IS militants step up attacks on Kabul, turning it into one of the deadliest places in Afghanistan for civilians.

"We are so heartbroken in Kabul that we don't know how to start our new day," Freshta Karim wrote on Twitter.

Xinhua - Ap

(China Daily 01/29/2018 page11)