PlusDeadliest Blast in Years Rocks Afghan CapitalDeadliest Blast in Years Rocks Afghan CapitalThe Associated PressA car bomb ripped through the front wall of the Indian Embassy in central Kabul on Monday, killing 40 people in what appeared to be the deadliest attack in Afghanistan's capital since the fall of the Taliban. (July 7)40 people are dead after a car bomb tore through the front wall of India's embassy in Afghanistan's capital city. It's the deadliest attack in Kabul since the fall of the Taliban. Indian officials say their defense attache and a diplomat were among the four Indians killed in the suicide bombing.(SOT: PRANAB MUKHERJEE, INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER)THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA STRONGLY CONDEMNS THIS COWARDLY TERRORIST ATTACK ON ITS DIPLOMATIC MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN. SUCH ACTS OF TERROR WILL NOT DETER US FROM FULFILLING OUR COMMITMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN.Earlier reports put the number of people injured at 141. The embassy is located near the city's center. Nearby shops were destroyed or damaged. The explosion itself rattled much of Kabul.(NATS IN DARI)One witness says he heard the explosion, then was covered in dust. He says he then saw dead bodies everywhere.The blast happened at the embassy's gate, where many Afghans line up each morning to apply for visas. (NATS IN DARI)An Afghan official says the bomber was inside the car when he blew it up. Afghanistan has seen a sharp rise in violence from Taliban militants in recent months. Insurgents are packing bombs with more explosives than ever. That's one reason why more U.S. and NATO troops were killed in June than any month since the 2001 invasion. While Afghanistan has seen increasing violence, Kabul had largely been spared from the bomb attacks. ___ ___, The Associated Press.
