Two Canadians killed in ‘cowardly’ attack

OTTAWA — Two Canadians were among 16 people who died in a brutal suicide attack on Friday at a restaurant in the Afghanistan capital of Kabul, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s office confirmed. There was no further information about the two Canadian victims. Baird’s office said it could not release further information due to privacy concerns.

Canada is winding up a military training mission in Afghanistan, but sources in the Department of National Defence told The Canadian Press no uniformed personnel were among the casualties.

The restaurant is located close to Canada’s embassy in Kabul and is a popular spot for Canadians living and visiting the capital.

“Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms the targeted, cowardly terrorist attack today on a restaurant in Kabul,” Baird said in an emailed statement.

“On behalf of all Canadians, we extend our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed and injured in this horrible and senseless act of terror.”

Afghan officials said a suicide bomber blew himself up outside La Taverna du Liban, which was filled with foreigners and affluent Afghans, while two gunmen snuck in through the back door and opened fire.

The Taliban claimed responsibility within an hour of the attack. It’s part of a stepped-up campaign of violence against foreign and government interests to send a message that the militants are not going anywhere as the U.S.-led coalition winds down its combat mission at the end of the year.

The bombing served as a reminder that although militant violence in the capital has dropped off in recent months, insurgents remain capable of carrying out attacks inside the most heavily guarded areas.

Kabul police chief Gen. Mohammad Zahir Zahir said the 16 people killed were all inside the restaurant. He said both foreigners and Afghans were among the dead, but he did not provide a breakdown. Officials said at least four other people were wounded.

Three United Nations personnel were among those killed, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. The three were not identified. Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed late Friday that a British national was among the dead.

The International Monetary Fund’s representative in Afghanistan, Wabel Abdallah, also was among those killed.

JOHANNES EISELE/Getty Images Afghan police stand guard at the scene near an explosion in Kabul on Friday. At least 16 people were killed, including foreigners, in a multiple Taliban suicide attack.