In a mammoth suicide attack in Kabul on early Friday, August 07, 2015, about 8 people were killed and around 400 were injured. According to the reports a suicide bomber smashed his explosive-laden vehicle into the building of National Directorate of Security (NDS) office close to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The blast destroyed around 20 meters cemented wall of the Ministry of Defence and also completely damaged another building. The explosion caused 20 feet wide and some 33 feet deep crater in the ground, which spoke volume of intensity of the blast. Officials neither spoke regarding intensity of the explosion nor mentioned how much explosive materials used.
Destruction caused by the blast can be seen at the scene of the blast such as damaged buildings and wide spread rubbles. Hardly a building has left safe in 70 meters area of the blast.
Three buildings and four houses close to the explosion area have been completely destroyed where as hundreds of shops and residential areas have partially damaged.
This is yet another incident that has, in fact, targeted the ill-fated civilians. Though insurgents claim that they do not target civilians, the outcomes of the incidents they carryout show some other picture. This is even verified by the UNAMA’s latest report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict.
UNAMA’s report released on August 06, 2015 documented 4,921 civilian casualties (1,592 deaths and 3,329 injured) in the first half of 2015, a one per cent increase in total civilian casualties compared to the same period in 2014. The report reveals that the vast majority – or 90 per cent – of civilian casualties resulted from ground engagements, improvised explosive devices, complex and suicide attacks and targeted killings.
The report clearly depicts that anti-government elements continue to cause the most harm. UNAMA attributed 70 per cent of civilian casualties to their activities. Civilian deaths and injuries caused by pro-government forces caused 16 per cent of civilian casualties (15 per cent from Afghan National Security Forces and Pro-Government Militia and one per cent from International Military Forces).
Ground engagements between parties to the conflict caused 1,577 civilian casualties (379 deaths and 1,198 injured) – a 19 per cent decrease – yet remained the leading cause of civilian casualties in Afghanistan.
Similarly, improvised explosive devices caused 1,108 civilian casualties (385 deaths and 723 injured) – a 21 per cent decrease – while remaining the second leading cause of civilian casualties in Afghanistan.
Suicide and complex attacks executed by anti-government elements caused 1,022 civilian casualties (183 deaths and 839 injured), a 78 per cent increase compared to the first six months of 2014. Civilian casualties from targeted killings increased by 57 per cent, causing 699 civilian casualties (440 deaths and 259 injured) and became the leading cause of civilian deaths, despite being the fourth leading cause of overall civilian casualties (deaths and injured combined).
In the first six months of 2015, UNAMA documented a 23 per cent increase in women casualties and a 13 per cent increase in children casualties.
These figures reveal the true enemies of the people of Afghanistan and also highlight that unless there is peace and tranquility the lives of the people of Afghanistan would remain in grave danger.
The victimization of the Afghan people because of insecurity in different parts of the country is really a serious matter and must be dealt as a top priority matter. Some of the recent incidents in the country clearly showed that the lives of the civilians are in danger and the Taliban insurgents are mainly responsible for it.
The common masses in Afghanistan must bother about the rise in civilian casualties as they are basically the ones who have been suffering and may suffer to a further extent if instability and terrorism prevail in the country. It is really pathetic to see the civilians losing their lives when they have nothing to do with the war. In the economically unstable and war-torn country like Afghanistan, people have not only suffered the hardships of the poor and miserable lives but also the horrors of war. They have been killed mercilessly as if their lives do not have any value or meaning and it is important to see that the Taliban are mostly behind the demise of the poor civilians. Taliban, on various occasions, have claimed that they would not target the civilians directly but the reality is totally against what is claimed by them. UNAMA’s report clearly depicts that they do not care much about the civilian casualties; what they mostly care about is their threat and dominancy over the security arrangements. Unfortunately, they pursue their objectives through the coward means of targeting the civilians. They have been trying to develop an image of caring and affectionate body that is trying to liberate the people of Afghanistan from the Western forces. But the fact is just on the contrary. They just want power and for that they will never hesitate to sacrifice the poor Afghan people. If they come to power, it is evident that Afghan people will never have peace, contentment and above all their due rights.
The innocent people of Afghanistan deserve that the Afghan government and security forces must ensure to them a better future. They need to make sure that the post transition period in Afghanistan will be a period that can give poverty stricken Afghan people security and basic requirements of living; provide them better representation and participation in political and social life and make them capable of governing themselves peacefully.