The US Embassy in Kabul said: “We strongly condemn the attack on a bus carrying media professionals on Darul Aman Road in Kabul”.
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Six employees, and a seventh unidentified victim, died, and at least 25 others were injured.
Thick smoke was seen rising from the scene of the blast, and several nearby vehicles were damaged.
TOLOnews is Afghanistan’s first 24-hour station dedicated to news and current affairs, broadcasting in Dari and Pashto. “They martyred you to silence us, but they will never achieve this evil goal”.
Speaking to reporters in Kabul Thursday, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Seddiqi said the attack is under investigation and promised to enhance media professionals’ security in consultation with their organizations. “This is the act of coward terrorists”. The tweet said Tolo TV was the target.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the violence, saying it was meant to punish Tolo TV for broadcasting anti-Afghan and anti-Taliban programs. A Taliban statement at the time said the reports were “clear, shameless example of propaganda by these satanic networks”.
Envoys from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States are scheduled to meet in Kabul later this week to discuss possible peace initiatives.
Taliban representatives were notably absent in both rounds and analysts caution that any substantive talks are still a long way off.
The Taliban has stepped up attacks in recent months, which experts believe is a bid by the militants to wrangle greater concessions during peace talks. The UN agency’s latest Global Investment Trends Monitor shows that foreign investment totalled some $1.7 trillion and the that increased FDI “investment made by a company or entity based in one country, into a company or entity based in another country “in developed countries was the main factor behind the unexpected spike, with industrialized nations accounting for 55 per cent of global FDI inflows previous year”. They threatened unspecified consequences.
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The Taliban on Thursday said it is not specifically targeting media as part of a widening insurgency, but warned organizations they should not align themselves with Tolo.
