Kabul twin blasts: Death toll rises to 110, evacuation resumes
Kabul: In a deadly blast a week after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, at least 110 people, including 12 US servicemen, have been killed in the two explosions outside Kabul airport. Evacuation flights from Afghanistan have resumed with new urgency a day after the bombings.
The United Kingdom to end evacuations from Afghanistan 'in a matter of hours', and Spain to end evacuations from Kabul on Friday.
As per reports, Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) has claimed responsibility for the deadly double attack at Kabul airport on the group's Telegram account.
US President Joe Biden pledged to retaliate against the attack in Kabul, confirming that ISIS-K carried out the bombings. Biden said “We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests in our people with every measure at my command". President Joe Biden on Thursday reaffirmed August 31 as the deadline for US troops to leave Afghanistan, in the wake of a deadly attack on Kabul airport.
Read: US forces leave Kabul by August 31
Commander of US Central Command, Marine Corps General Kenneth F McKenzie Jr said, "Twelve US servicemen were killed and 15 injured in the attacks in Kabul. Despite this attack, we're continuing the mission of evacuation".
McKenzie said the US was prepared to use attack aircraft to defend the airport if necessary, including with AC-130 gunships.
The casualties are the worst single-day loss for American troops in Afghanistan since the August 2011 attack on a Chinook helicopter that killed 30 service members. The US flag will be flown at half-mast until the evening of August 30 to honour the victims killed in attacks.
Amrullah Saleh, who claims to be Acting President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, alleged that the terror group ISI-K has links with the Taliban. "Every evidence we have in hand shows that IS-K cells have their roots in Talibs & Haqqani network particularly the ones operating in Kabul. Talibs denying links with ISIS is identical/similar to denial of Pak on Quetta Shura. Talibs hv leanred vry well from the master".
Hindus and Sikhs are safe:
Around 160 Sikh and Hindu citizens may have narrowly escaped the blasts near Kabul airport. These members are minority communities in the war-ravaged country. They have now taken refuge inside a Gurdwara.