Reports warn of more strikes in Kabul

KABUL, Afghanistan | Afghan authorities are on the lookout for suicide bombers in cars, burqas and other disguises after a massive attack on the Indian Embassy on Monday - the biggest attack in the capital since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

“No one is safe in Kabul,” said Awad Salar, an employee of the post office across the street.

“The insurgents seem to grow stronger by the day. … I´m actually concerned that it´s not going to end here,” said Mr. Salar, who arrived on the scene moments after the explosion.

A series of U.S. and Afghan intelligence reports obtained by The Washington Times hours after the attack warned of more to come.

Officials put the death toll at 41, with at least 157 injured.

One U.S. report dated July 5 said Taliban insurgents are planning multiple attacks in Kabul, reflecting a similar assessment obtained in late June and previously reported by The Washington Times.

“Two female suicide bombers wearing burqas planning an attack” inside the city, said the July 5 security report outlining threats in Afghanistan.

“The threat of a spectacular attack will remain for the coming weeks as the offensive gains momentum. The presence of large totals of insurgents in the provinces surrounding Kabul is a clear indication of insurgents intent to suffocate Kabul,” the report said.

Afghan police recovered and defused a “Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device” on July 1 at a bus stop in central Kabul, the report said.

“VBIED warning issued” for numerous districts in the city, said a July 4 bulletin to the Afghan National Police and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, according to the U.S. report.

VBIED is an acronym for “vehicle borne improvised explosive device,” a car bomb that can be either detonated remotely or blown up by the driver.

The driver on Monday cut into a motorcade heading to the Indian Embassy and blew up the car.

“The suicide bomber was driving a Toyota Corolla in front of the Indian Embassy, which we believe was the target of the attack,” Interior Ministry spokesman Hakim Asher said. His ministry is adjacent to the embassy.

“These types of incidents are the enemy of Afghanistan. The enemy is always trying to bring insecurity to the region and the Afghan people,” he said.

Other Afghan military and government sources, however, said they were not sure whether the terrorist intended to hit the embassy or the ministry.

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