Two huge explosions shake Afghan capital Kabul

[Turborama]

Source: CNN International

Two huge explosions shook Afghanistan early Friday.

The force of the first explosion -- which struck about 6:30 a.m. (9 p.m. Thursday ET) was so strong that it shook CNN correspondent Ben Wedeman awake, he said.

"We saw smoke rising over the area and heard a fair amount of gunfire -- automatic and single shot," he said from north-central Kabul.
The blast erupted near the Safi Landmark Hotel in the neighborhood of Shahr-E-Naw, where there are a number of government buildings and U.N. offices.

A few minutes later, a second large explosion occurred, he said. Sporadic gunfire was continuing, he said.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/afghanistan.explosion/index.html

[bemildred]

1. I could swear I've heard stuff like this before ... nt

[tekisui]

3. And, I predict this isn't the last time we'll hear of stuff like this.

[bemildred]

4. You know, I think you are probably right. nt

[aquart]

2. SHIT! Is the electricity out, too? Can I get email through?

I have a five-foot nothing friend working for Internews in Kabul.

[yava]

10. wouldn't it cost less just to attack Iran...

than to try to make Europeans out of Afghans?
Actually, even cheaper would be to let Iran handle the Wahabi Taleban!
OK these comments are REALLY stupid and I have had some good red wine (for my hypertension of course as I have no canabis) but they have this sense: what is going on there with NATO is real NONSENSE!

[Flaneur]

5. 10 dead, five suicide bombers at last report.

The Taliban again demonstrates its ability to strike at will at the heart of the puppet regime.

[Rapier09]

6. They are such godly people the Taliban

I don't believe in Hell because no God would put one through it but I guarantee you that these people better pray there is no afterlife.

[Wilms]

7. A family member of one of the Afghan kids NATO killed said something just like that, I'll bet.

You?

:shrug:

[VanW]

8. At least 17 dead now

Suicide bombers attacked in the heart of Kabul on Friday, triggering a series of explosions and gunbattles that killed at least 17 people in an area that's home to small residential hotels used by foreigners, police and witnesses said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying five suicide bombers conducted the early morning attacks on two buildings used by foreign citizens, while police said the attackers numbered at least three. Police said Indians were among those killed.


At least 17 people were killed in Friday's attack and 32 wounded, said Abdul Ghafar Sayedzada, head of criminal investigation for the Kabul police. He said three of the dead were police officers and most of the civilians who were killed were Indians.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100226/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan_735

[dyingnumbers]

9. Deadly blasts rock central Kabul

Aljazeera.net - http://su.pr/9LxoAm

[Rhiannon12866]

13. +1. Taliban fighters attack Kabul

At least 17 people were killed and 32 wounded when several suicide bombers attacked a hotel popular with foreigners and the surrounding area in the centre of Kabul.

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for Friday's attack, one of the deadliest on the Afghan capital in a year.

Ten Indians, an Italian and a Frenchman were among the dead, officials said.

Attacks on guesthouses used by foreigners have increased in recent months.

The first blast occurred at about 06:45 local time, near the Kabul City Centre, Kabul's largest shopping centre located in the city's main commercial district, that includes the Safi Landmark Hotel.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9LxoAm/english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/02/201022625531437595.html

[TomClash]

11. Many Dead in Suicide Attack on Kabul Guesthouses

Source: The New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — At least 18 people were killed and 32 wounded on Friday in suicide and car bomb attacks on two guesthouses popular with foreigners in the center of Kabul, police officials said.

In a telephone interview, a Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attacks, which coincided with a major offensive by American-led coalition forces against militants in the southern province of Helmand, a central element in President Obama’s strategy in rural Afghanistan.

In one attack, a car bomb exploded outside a guesthouse popular with Indians while suicide bombers stormed another guesthouse frequented by Britons and Americans, triggering a firefight with security forces and other insurgents that lasted for more than 90 minutes.

The fatalities included four Indian doctors who worked at the Indira Gandhi Child Health Institute and at least one Italian, according to President Hamid Karzai’s office. Two policemen were killed and the death toll could rise, the police said.

more . . .

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/world/asia/27kabul.html?ref=global-home

[laststeamtrain]

12. guardian.co.uk: Kabul bombings and gun battles leave 17 dead

Kabul bombings and gun battles leave 17 dead

Indian government officials among victims, as suicide bombers attack in the heart of Afghanistan's capital
guardian.co.uk, Friday 26 February 2010 08.00 GMT


Suicide bombers mounted attacks in the heart of Kabul today, triggering a series of explosions and gun battles that killed at least 17 people, including Indian government officials.

The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying five suicide bombers conducted the early-morning attacks on two buildings in an area that is home to small residential hotels used by foreigners. The Indian foreign ministry said as many as nine of its nationals had been killed, including government officials. An Italian diplomat was also among the victims, according to the Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini. ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/26/afghanistan-kabul-bombings