KABUL: Killings by small, magnetic bombs slapped under vehicles are unnerving Afghan officials, activists and journalists, who blame the Taliban for the attacks that are increasing despite peace talks aimed at ending two decades of war. At least 10 government officials and their aides have been killed by “sticky bombs” in recent weeks, mostly in the capital Kabul. The tactic, senior security officials and Western diplomats say, is meant to instil fear while avoiding large-scale civilian casualties.
“Internal intelligence memos reveal that the Taliban are systematically eliminating mid-career, ambitious government officials and other prominent individuals who are clearly against their hardline stance,” said a senior Western diplomat responsible for Afghanistan. The rebels “are not killing the government’s top brass as they can’t afford to generate large-scale furore, for it would impinge upon the peace process,” the diplomat told media on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to the press.
A Taliban spokesman said the group was behind some of the attacks but targeted only officials of the government that the group is both warring and negotiating with. “We will continue to target the enemy and continue to eliminate important govt figures, but not journalists or social activists,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the militant group.–Agencies
