The convoy of Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh was targeted by a bomb attack in central Kabul on Wednesday morning, government officials said.
“The enemies of Afghanistan tried to target First Vice President Amrullah Saleh again this morning,” said Razwan Murad, head of Mr. Saleh’s press service, adding that “the terrorist attack failed and Saleh and safe and sound “.
Two dead and 12 injured have so far been identified, said Interior Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian.
According to an associate of the vice-president, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, a suicide bomber blew himself up near the convoy as Saleh walked to his office.
Abdullah, a trader who, like many Afghans, only uses one name, said his windows were smashed by the explosion. “A store that sells gas cylinders also caught fire, causing the cylinders to explode,” he added.
Known for his hostile positions against the Taliban, Saleh had already been escaped from an assassination attempt last summer during the presidential campaign, when a suicide bomber and gunmen attacked his offices.
The attack left at least 20 dead, mostly civilians, and 50 wounded.
Wednesday’s attack comes as the Afghan negotiating team and the Taliban are due to start groundbreaking peace talks in Qatar soon.