Taliban Deny Suicide Attack That Killed Six in Kabul

A suicide attack near a military academy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, left six people dead on Tuesday, the interior ministry said.

“Six people including two civilians and four military personnel were killed,” interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, adding that 12 people were wounded, five of them civilians.

The bombing which took place near the government-run defence university, early in the morning, was the first major attack in the capital this year

The Taliban denied involvement in the blast and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

“It wasn’t our work,” said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Reuters reported.

This comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in the country as US and Taliban negotiators try to pursue talks towards a peace deal to end 18 years of war.

The Marshal Fahim Military Academy, modelled after European war colleges to train Afghan cadets, has been the scene of several attacks in the past, including an assault last may claimed by ISIS.

For his part, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement released by his office.

“The great nation of Afghanistan wants an end to violence, an end to the war, a ceasefire and an enduring peace,” the statement said.

“The government is committed to achieving a dignified and sustainable peace, for which it pursues a clear plan.”