Mystery surrounds series of bombings in Kabul

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Ten months after the Taliban and their al-Qaida allies were ousted from Afghanistan's capital, a string of mysterious bombings in the city has raised concerns that they may be trying to hit back.

No arrests have been made in the bombings, and police have been unable to say for sure who is behind them. Afghanistan's foreign minister said Tuesday the blasts prove the international war on terror should continue.

There has been no evidence to link the explosions to the Taliban or al-Qaida, but both organizations have circulated leaflets threatening attacks. On Monday, a previously unknown group calling itself the Secret Army of Mujahedeen claimed it carried out 21 attacks elsewhere in the country. However, few could be verified and some clearly did not take place.

"Yes there were unfortunately some incidents, some explosions in different parts of Kabul, unfortunately with casualties, but with minimal casualties," Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah said.

"What is this evidence of? What does that show? It is evidence of the fact that the campaign against terror should continue."

The latest explosion in Kabul, on Sunday, killed one civilian and wounded two Afghan passers-by and a British peacekeeper.

That blast was the seventh in the capital since Aug. 15, when a small bomb exploded in a storm drain at the telecommunications ministry, city police chief Bashir Salangi said.

One explosion occurred in front of the U.N. guest-house, another in front of a cinema. Others exploded inside abandoned buildings and empty basements. Few have caused serious injuries.

Salangi said 350 extra soldiers have been deployed in patrols and at new checkpoints.

"It's a hit and run type of thing. It's almost like a test, like if we set this bomb off here, what will happen?" said Maj. Steve Odell, a spokesman for the 4,800-man International Security Assistance Force. "The question is, is this leading up to something?"

Some foreigners are taking no chances.

On Tuesday, international troops swept through the German Embassy with sniffer dogs and explosives experts to check for bombs. Odell said the embassy had "decided to raise their threat state in terms of security" ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Odell said most embassies in Kabul would likely do the same but stressed that it was strictly precautionary and no specific threats had been received.

Evidence in the bombings has largely been limited to the explosive material itself and bomb fragments. Foreign forensic experts were investigating, but following such leads is difficult, Odell said, adding that explosive material is ubiquitous and easy to get in Kabul.

"It's frustrating, all these bombs all over the city. We'd certainly like to catch whoever is doing it," he said.

Just who is behind the blasts is anyone's guess.

Salangi said the explosions were the work of residents who want to destabilize the government, but not al-Qaida terrorists. He offered no proof.

A senior intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said some evidence pointed to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former prime minister officials say has linked up with al-Qaida and former Taliban members.

He said two teenagers were arrested last month, just before the first blast, after trying to place a fuel canister containing explosive material in a crowded market.

The teens said they had been paid to take the gas cylinder there and led police to a safehouse that had once belonged to Hekmatyar. Police have also recently reported the discovery of a bombmaking lab with several containers of chemicals.

Odell and other peacekeepers have played down the threat, saying the bombings have injured few and don't seem to be aimed at hitting large targets.

But the intelligence official said that was only because they hadn't been able to.

The string of bombings follow the July 6 assassination of Vice President Abdul Qadir and the Feb. 14 murder of Civil Aviation Minister Abdul Rahman. Both killings occurred in Kabul and both remain unsolved.

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