ICRC Halts Work in Afghanistan

KABUL - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday condemned the Wednesday's attack on its office in the eastern Nangarhar province, calling it unacceptable.The committee believes that attacks on donor organizations will have unpleasant outcomes.

The ICRC said that the Committee has started investigating the attack and continuation of the Committee's works in Afghanistan will be cleared only after the investigations are completed. At the same time, the Committee pledged that it will continue to provide aid to the poor people of the country.

For the first time, an office of the Committee was targeted by the Taliban. The ICRC has been providing aid to the poor people of Afghanistan.

"Attacks, not only on the ICRC but on any other organization that provides aid to the poor is unacceptable," ICRC Spokesman, Abdul Hassib Rahimi said.

According to the reports, one security guard of the ICRC was killed and a foreign employee was injured as result of the attack.

The security guard, Bashir Ahmad, killed in the attack was the only breadwinner of his family. He has eight children.

"Bashir Ahmad was my cousin. He was working at the ICRC due to poverty and his eight children are now left without any future," security guard's cousin said.

Meanwhile, the members of the Provincial Council also condemned the attack.

"The ones who attacked ICRC are enemies of the Afghan people and Afghans will never forgive them," member of the Provincial Council, Zabiullah Zemarai said.

On the other hand, the Afghan Interior Ministry said that Taliban and Haqqani Network are behind the attack.

"The suicide attack in Jalalabad is the work of Taliban and the Haqqani Network. They change their strategy every time and target the foreign organizations," Afghan Interior Ministry Spokesman, Sediq Sediqi said.

The Afghan Interior Ministry praised the security forces for showing courage in fighting the insurgents. The security forces rescued seven foreign employees of the ICRC who were trapped inside the office.

The ICRC asked all the insurgent groups to desist from attacking donor organizations. (Tolo News)