“We condemn these terrorist attacks that kill innocent Afghans”, the station added in a statement, adding that they were waiting for an update from the government for more the details about the attack.
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No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, but the Taliban will be the main suspects as they have launched numerous attacks in the city.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (APP): The United States will stand side-by-side with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, the US State Department said on Wednesday after a terrorist attack on a university in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Afghan TV channel TOLO’s minibus was carrying employees home from the company’s office in central Kabul was attacked, months after Taliban declared the network a “military target”.
“Tolo TV runs Afghanistan’s first 24-hour news channel and, along with its website, is one of the country’s most well-known news sources”.
“The targeting of journalists reflects a depraved strategy to make media freedom a casualty of the ongoing conflict”, said Patricia Gossman, senior Afghanistan researcher. A suicide vehicle bomber apparently targeted a TV station van, killing 7 staff members, and wounding more than 20 people.
In a statement, the Taliban called the bombing “revenge” for false allegations against the group.
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.
Its purported involvement in Wednesday’s attack isn’t a major surprise, given the Taliban’s longstanding and violent opposition to free expression and other rights.
The U.S. condemned the attack and said freedom of the press was “a cornerstone to democracy”.
Meanwhile, the Taliban also said they carried out another attack, over in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The government of Austria said it would cut the cap for asylum seekers in half this year and institute “massive” new border controls.
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The Indian and Pakistani missions have also recently been targeted in other parts of the country.
