News
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Ex-Afghan president Rabbani killed* Taliban claim responsibility for attack
* Pakistan, US condemn killing
KABUL: Afghan police said that a Taliban suicide bomber wearing explosives in a turban on Tuesday assassinated former president Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was leading government peace efforts.
Amid conflicting reports once source said the attackers arrived at Rabbani’s house with Mohammad Massom Stanikzai, Rabbani’s deputy, for a meeting before the turban bomber detonated his explosives. A member of the Afghan High Peace Council, which Rabbani led, Fazel Karim Aymaq, said the men had come with “special messages” from Taliban and were “very trusted.”
Kabul criminal investigations chief Mohammad Zaher said, “Two men were negotiating with Rabbani on behalf of Taliban this evening - one of them had hid explosives in his turban.
“He approached Rabbani and detonated his explosives. Rabbani was killed and four others including Massom Stanikzai were injured.”
Aymaq said that Stanikzai had said that the men were “very trusted” before the meeting.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack that killed Rabbani.
“Yes, we carried out the attack on Rabbani but will provide you other details shortly,” he said.
The Pakistani government on Tuesday swiftly condemned the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, describing him as a “friend” with whom Islamabad was working closely on peace efforts. The statement was released jointly by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, just days after the United States accused Pakistani of having ties to the Haqqani network. “The people of Pakistan stand by their Afghan brothers and sisters in this moment of grief,” the joint statement said.
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday condemned the killing of Rabbani, and vowed it would not stop the United States from pressing on with its mission there.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, at the start of talks with Obama on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, said Rabbani’s death “will not deter us” from continuing the quest for peace.
“This is a big blow to peace process and huge loss for Afghanistan,” said Sadiqa Balkhi, a member of the peace council. “The killing also underscores the inability of the government to protect even the most prominent Afghan politicians,” a diplomat said.
“Professor Rabbani was an influential and spiritual leader and was successful in luring Taliban fighters into peace process.” Rabbani served as president in the 1990s when mujahideen factions waged war for control of the country after the Soviet withdrawal. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk