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7 Dead, 91 Hurt in Blast Near Kabul NATO HQ

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 15, 2009 5:10 AM CDT

(AP) – A suicide car bomb exploded early today outside the main gate of NATO's headquarters, killing seven and wounding 91 in the biggest attack in the Afghan capital in six months. The bomber evaded several rings of Afghan police and detonated his explosives on the doorstep of the international military headquarters, sending the message that the Taliban can attack anywhere as Afghans gear up for their second-ever direct presidential election in just 5 days.

Bloodied and dazed Afghans wandered the street after the blast, and children—many of whom congregate outside the NATO gate to sell gum to Westerners—were among the wounded. "I was drinking tea in our office when a big explosion happened," said an Afghan injured in the strike. "I lay on the ground and then I saw wounded victims everywhere, including police and civilians."

A U.S. soldier reacts after a suicide car bomb explosion which occurred near the main gate of NATO's headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday Aug. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

Smoke rise after a suicide car bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Farzana Wahidy)

Medics treat a wounded civilian at a hospital after a suicide attack near the NATO headquarters, in Kabul, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh)

Afghan doctors and workers carry wounded people who were injured by a suicide car bomb explosion at a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Farzana Wahidy)

Colleagues look at a minor injury sustained by a soldier after a suicide car bomb explosion which occurred near the main gate of NATO's headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday Aug. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

Fire comes out after a suicide car bomb explosion which occurred near the main gate of NATO's headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday Aug. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

A wounded child is seen at a hospital after being injured by a suicide car bomb explosion in a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Farzana Wahidy)

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They mark first major sectarian assaults in a decade

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • NATO • Kabul • car bomb • explosion • terror attack

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

Sarkozy Wants Out of Afghanistan Next Year

France will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2013

Karzai: Pakistan Behind Kabul Attack

Death toll hits 60 in twin Afghanistan bombings

58 Killed in Rare Attacks on Afghan Shiites

They mark first major sectarian assaults in a decade

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?