ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul earlier this morning that led to a number of causalities, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
"Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the statement said, further expressing sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of the government.
"Such attacks are detrimental to the cause of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan," the statement added.
Earlier in the day, Afghan security forces were battling Taliban gunmen who stormed a building in Kabul after a bomb-laden truck exploded near the defence ministry at rush hour, injuring at least 100 people, including 35 children, officials said.
For hours after the attack, sporadic gunfire and explosions could be heard in the area, cordoned off by special forces. At least three gunmen entered a building around the defence ministry after the blast, a government security official said.
“Gunmen have entered a building and they are clashing with the Afghan forces after the powerful blast,” interior ministry spokesperson Nasrat Rahimi said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
“The target was the defence ministry’s technical installation,” the militants’ spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a statement.
Afghan security officials said the truck loaded with explosives was detonated near the ministry’s engineering and logistics department.
About 100 wounded people were taken to hospital, said health ministry spokesperson Wahidullah Mayar, but there was no immediate word of fatalities.
Thirty-five school children were wounded, said Nimatullah Hamdard, the director of a nearby private school.
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