A European vehicle (EUPOL Afghanistan) targeted by a suicide attack in Kabul (maj)

(BRUSSELS2) A vehicle of the EUPOL Afghanistan mission was “ implied in a suicide attack today à Kaboul, confirmed the European support mission for the Afghan police on Monday (January 5). It is not yet possible to say whether it is the very vehicle of EUPOL Afghanistan that was targeted. A investigation is open « in close connection with afghan national police » says the European mission. But the Taliban movement openly claimed responsibility for this attack targeting a European vehicle.

The vehicle of EUPOL (*) rolled to the east " on the road jalalabad in Kabul "when he was a victim" à 13h (local time = approx. 10 a.m. Brussels) of an explosion from a parked vehicle. There is apparently no breakage among EUPOL members. " The occupants of the vehicle came out unscathed »Indicates le Acting Head of Mission Pia Stjernvall in a statement. Corn " several civilians were injured », and others were mortally wounded. According to a latest report drawn up by the Afghan police, there are 2 dead and 12 injured.

The EUPOL Afghanistan mission was indirectly affected a year ago by an attack in a restaurant frequented by many expatriates in Kabul, killing 2 mission employees: a Danish woman and a British security officer (read: 2 dead at EUPOL Afghanistan in a restaurant attack in Kabul).

Note that this mission is only an "advisory" mission without an executive mandate (no power of arrest or security). The main objective is to provide advice and training to the Afghan authorities and to the Kabul police force.

(NGV)

(*) Some information mentions an "armoured". To our knowledge, EUPOL does not have "armoured" in the usual denomination of a military vehicle but rather vehicles with "armour" to protect these occupants.

(Updated) January 6, balance sheet revaluation.