Kabul: As the US military raced toward a Tuesday deadline to withdraw from America’s longest war, sporadic violence in the Afghan capital underlined the perils ahead for a country already buffeted by insecurity, a humanitarian crisis and a terrorist threat. The US military shot down rockets aimed at Kabul airport by the Islamic State-Khorasan on Monday morning, a day after it said that one of its drones struck a vehicle full of explosives. The US has warned that more attacks, like the one last week outside the airport that killed more than 170 people, are possible before it withdraws on Tuesday.
US defence officials also acknowledged the possibility that civilians may have been killed after Sunday's drone hit. Hours after the strike, at a family home in Kabul, survivors and neighbours said 10 people had been killed, including seven children, an aid worker for an American charity organisation and a contractor with the US military. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the US for failing to inform them before ordering the strike and described the action as unlawful.
Drone blows up bomb-laden IS car
The US military on Sunday carried out a successful punitive airstrike against a suspected IED-rigged vehicle heading for the Kabul airport. The hit, following up on Saturday’s US drone attack that had killed two IS-K planners of the August 26 airport bombing, came as the August 31 deadline for American withdrawal from Afghanistan ticked into view.
The Pentagon said Sunday’s unmanned strike was conducted in “self-defence” and eliminated an imminent IS-K threat to the airport. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material. There were unconfirmed casualties from the airstrike that heralds the start of a new “over-the-horizon” warfare, which suggests the US won’t be intimated by the fact that 300 or so Americans are still stranded in Afghanistan and face the prospect retaliatory action by militants. Around the same time, a rocket struck a neighbourhood just northwest of the airport. Details of this attack are sketchy.
Rockets aimed at airport brought down
A US official said the rockets aimed at Kabul airport on Monday were brought down by a counter-rocket system, and that there were no initial reports of casualties. The airport remained open, according to the official. Afghan media said the rocket attack was launched from the back of a vehicle. The Pajhwok news agency said several rockets struck different parts of the Afghan capital. “People are terrified... worried that rocket launching might continue,” said Farogh Danish, a Kabul resident.
The last US troops are due to leave Kabul by Tuesday after the biggest air evacuation in history. The US and its allies have flown out 1,22,000 people, including their own citizens and Afghans who helped them over 20 years of war. Two US officials said “core” diplomatic staff were among 6,000 Americans to have left so far.
Kabul hospitals overwhelmed with patients
Afghan media outlets reported that six Afghans were killed and several injured. Several thousand Afghans are said to have fled into Pakistan using the Spin Boldak crossing point in southern Afghanistan. Locals described the scene at Spin Boldak as chaotic, with many of those who had travelled to the border not being allowed to cross into Pakistan. In Kabul, hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients, with fewer staff available as many health experts had left the country after the Taliban grabbed power. The condition of many patients was described as critical. A number of families were desperately searching for their loved ones after the explosion.
Plan for new govt
Meanwhile, reports from Kabul suggest that Taliban leaders have been planning to form an inclusive caretaker government as soon as possible. The caretaker government, according to the Taliban, will have an “Amir-ul Momineen” (Commander of the Faithful) to lead the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. They said a supreme leadership council has been convened to decide the form of the future government and to nominate ministers. The focus is on nominations to key ministries, including law, defence, foreign affairs, finance, information and national security. The group is considering the names of the sons of several non-Pashtun warlords and tribal chiefs to be part of the caretaker setup.
Sikhs, Hindus return to Af hometowns
Most of the Sikhs and Hindus who were taking shelter at Gurdwara Dashmesh Pita in Kabul have returned to their hometowns and resumed their businesses. They said Taliban commanders have assured them of safety, but they still fear attacks from groups like the IS. India World Forum president Puneet Singh Chandok said he had spoken to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who assured protection.
