Kabul attack: Nepal Govt. making arrangements to bring bodies back home

Informing Members of Parliament that 14 Nepalis were killed in the suicide attack in Afghan capital Kabul, Kamal Thapa, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the government is making arrangements to bring the bodies back.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has, however, confirmed only 12 names of those killed in the attack.

A Taliban suicide bomber on Monday attacked a minibus carrying the Nepali workers who were on their way to the Canadian Embassy in Kabul where they work.

Condemning the attack as a crime against humanity, Thapa said diplomatic efforts have been stepped up to bring the bodies back and ensure that the injured get proper treatment.

"Acting Ambassador to Pakistan Tirtha Raj Aryal has been asked to fly to Kabul to take stock of the situation and make arrangements to bring the bodies back," the Kathmandu Post quoted Thapa, as saying .

Meanwhile, deploring the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was not a targeted attack on Nepali citizens.

"Terrorists carry out various kinds of attacks, and we do not believe the attack was targeted at any specific group," said Bharat Raj Paudyal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"There were other nationalities as well on the bus that was attacked. We do not see any reason behind targeting Nepalis," he added.

Following the incident, Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani called up Thapa and expressed condolence.

Thapa, requested the Afghan government to assist in the treatment of the injured Nepalis and sending the bodies.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli yesterday condemned the attack and said that he was shocked by the incident.

"I express my heartfelt condolences for the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the suicide attack in Kabul. Nepal government strongly condemns the Kabul incident," Oli said in a statement.

He added that the government is doing the needful to fly the bodies back.