Attacks on Kabul's diplomatic quarter

At least 28 people have been killed in a bomb blast near government offices in Kabul, the latest insurgent attack in the highly fortified area.

The following are high-profile attacks on embassies, media, the UN and NATO properties in and near the diplomatic quarter since Mullah Akhtar Mansour was appointed the head of the Taliban in July 2015, following the revelation that the group's founder Mullah Omar had been dead for two years.

August 6-10: Kabul is hit by four attacks, of which three are claimed by the Taliban. Almost 60 people are killed in the heaviest toll in the capital since NATO's mission in Afghanistan was declared at an end in December 2014.

August 22: At least 12 people, including three US nationals employed by NATO, are killed in an attack against foreign forces, The Taliban deny responsibility.

December 11: A car bomb explodes during rush hour near the Spanish embassy. Four Afghan policemen and two Spanish nationals are killed. Following several hours of fighting the attack, which is claimed by the Taliban, ends with the death of four of its militants.

December 21: Six US soldiers die when a motorcycle explodes near the Bagram air base. Claimed by the Taliban, it is one of the year's most deadly attacks against NATO.

January 20, 2016: A suicide bomber rams his car into a minibus carrying staff of the Afghan television station Tolo, killing seven. It is the first major attack against Afghan media, which is accused of broadcasting "propaganda" and reporting on alleged rapes by Islamist rebels in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan.

February 1: Twenty policemen are killed when a Taliban suicide bomber strikes their base in Kabul. Another 29 are wounded when the bomber infiltrates a queue of police officers waiting to enter their base.

February 27: A suicide bomber targets the defence ministry in Kabul, killing 12 people, including two soldiers. Analysts suggest the increase in attacks might be a Taliban strategy to gain leverage ahead of attempted peace negotiations.

April 19: A Taliban truck bomb and ensuing firefight kills at least 28 people and wounds some 300 others, a week after the insurgents launch a spring offensive.
Source: AFP