|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 11 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Eleven Chinese workers killed in Afghan attack KABUL, Thursday (Reuters) Gunmen burst into a compound in northern Afghanistan early on Thursday, killing 11 Chinese road workers and wounding five, an embassy official in Kabul said, in one of the bloodiest attack on foreigners since the Taliban fell. The raid occurred 35 km (22 miles) south of the city of Kunduz, until now deemed a secure area as Islamic insurgents concentrate their attacks in Afghanistan's south and east. It came just two days after about 100 Chinese workers had arrived at the site, the Xinhua news agency reported. "Ten people died on the spot and several were wounded, one of whom has since died," said a Chinese embassy official in Kabul who declined to be identified. The attack took place at around 1 a.m. (2030 GMT on Wednesday). "They were working on a road paving project for a Chinese company. The project is being financed by the World Bank." Security guards exchanged fire with about 20 assailants, according to Xinhua. The attack will deal a body blow to Afghanistan's efforts to rebuild a country shattered by decades of war and occupation. Remnants of the ousted militia and their militant allies including al Qaeda have vowed to attack foreign and Afghan troops as well as aid organisations, and disrupt landmark elections due in September. The reason for the attack just outside the provincial capital of Kunduz was not known. China has pledged to help Afghanistan rebuild a major irrigation project near Kabul. The Chinese Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment. The embassy official said the ambassador to Afghanistan, Sun Yuxi, would fly to the area on Thursday. Kunduz is 250 km (156 miles) north of Kabul and takes up to seven hours to reach by road. The official said the wounded would be taken to a German hospital in Kunduz, where a provincial-civilian team led by German troops has been operating. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
