Deadly assault on Counterpart traumatizes Kabul residents

KABUL (SW) – The deadly Taliban-claimed assault on Counterpart NGO in Kabul has left shockwaves of horror that continue to haunt many residents of the locality.

A number of Kabul residents living close to the office of Counterpart told Salam Watandar they feel deeply traumatized after the attack.

Haji Hazrat, one such resident, said the attackers initially mistakenly enter his home consider it to be the U.S. NGO they wished to storm. This man said he received a call from his family members saying the insurgents are roaming around their home. He said though no one in his family was harmed, but the spell has traumatized them forever.

A number of offices and shops have also been seriously damaged.

Khalil Ahmad, one such affected shopkeeper, said the attack has seriously damaged his psychological health. He said looting took place from a number of shops as the owners fled for their lives after the attack.

Busy cleaning the site of the assault, a number of Kabul Municipality workers said they always feel frightened in the night. They said cleaning such sites of deadly assaults has also affected their appetite.

Five attackers stormed the Counterpart office in Shahr-e-Nau area on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Interior nine people got killed in this attack and 20 others got wounded.

The Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahed, took responsibility for the attack.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani dubbed it as ‘unforgivable crime’. In a statement he urged the Taliban to respect the calls for peace or get ready to face the wrath of the Afghan security forces.

Ann Hudock, President and CEO of Counterpart, said in a statement the attack was an attack on innocent civilians, development professionals who dedicate their lives to improving the lives of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable, including women, youth, and the disabled.

Counterpart clarified its program office in Kabul runs civil society engagement programs in Afghanistan to encourage peace, increase youth participation, strengthen rights, and improve opportunities for women. 

ENDS