Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa on Monday apprised Parliament of the deadly incident in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in which 14 Nepalis were killed and five others were wounded.

 

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has confirmed only 12 names of those killed in the attack. A Taliban suicide bomber on Monday morning attacked a minibus carrying the Nepalis who were on their way to the Canadian Embassy in Kabul where they work.

 

Terming the attack a crime against humanity, Thapa said diplomatic efforts have been stepped up to bring the bodies back and ensure that the injured get proper treatment, said Thapa. “Acting Ambassador to Pakistan Tirtha Raj Aryal has been asked to fly to Kabul to take stock of the situation and make arrangements to bring the bodies back,” Thapa said in Parliament.

 

Deploring the incident, MoFA, however, said it was not a targeted attack on Nepali citizens. “Terrorists carry out various kinds of attacks, and we do not believe the attack was targeted at any specific group,” Bharat Raj Paudyal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said. “There were other nationalities as well on the bus that was attacked,” he said, adding: “We do not see any reason behind targeting Nepalis.”

 

A dedicated information centre has been set up at MoFA to ensure timely flow of information regarding the incident and help the family members of the deceased and the injured. Following the incident, Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani called Thapa and expressed condolence. Thapa has requested the Afghan government to assist in the treatment of the injured Nepalis and sending the bodies.

 

 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday said he was shocked by the deaths of 14 Nepalis in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul. “I express my heartfelt condolences for the victims,” PM Oli said in a statement. “I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the suicide attack in Kabul. Nepal government strongly condemns the Kabul incident.” The 14 Nepalis, working as security guards at the Canadian Embassy in the Afghan capital, were killed when they were on their minibus heading for work. Five others were wounded.

 

PM Oli said the government is doing the needful to fly the bodies back. The main opposition Nepali Congress too has expressed deep concerns over the Kabul suicide attack. “The NC expresses condolences to the families of the victims and all fellow citizens,” NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba said in a statement.

Deploring the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that his government would provide relevant assistance to Nepal. “We strongly condemn the horrible tragedy in Kabul, Our deep condolences to people & Govts of Afghanistan & Nepal on loss of innocent lives,” Narendra Modi tweeted hours after the attack.

 

“We are taking steps to provide all relevant assistance to the Nepal government in this hour of tragedy,” added Modi. 

 

 

Akur Tamang, Sunsari

Chandra Bahadur Rana Magar, Kathmandu

Hari Bahadur Badwal Chettri, Kathmandu

Bidur Bahadur Subedi Chettri, Kathmandu

Amrit Bahadur Thapa, Lamgjung

Sup Bahadur Gurung, Syangja

Dambar Bahadur Tamang, Nuwakot

Mudusudan Koirala, Nuwakot

Lil Bahadur Gurung, Nuwakot

Nabin Singh Chettri, Parbat

Krishna Bahadur Dungana, Chitwan

Jitendra Singh Thapa, Rupandhei

Names confirmed by MoFA