Families of the victims of Sunday’s suicide bombing outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Monday sharply criticized government for its failure to maintain security in the city.
On Sunday a suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside the main gate of the airport shortly after First Vice President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum’s convoy left the area.
The explosion happened just half an hour after Dostum arrived back in Afghanistan after spending 14 months in Turkey.
Security officials said on Monday the death toll in the explosion was now at 23 and over 100 wounded.
On Monday, the victims were laid to rest and families spoke out about the ongoing security issue.
Among those killed in Sunday’s attack was yet another media worker - Akhtar Mohammad, who was a driver for Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Kabul.
Akhtar Mohammad was buried in Kabul’s Gul Dara district and is survived by two sons, two young daughters and his wife.
Omid, 12, the oldest of his children, said at his father’s funeral that government needs to improve security.
“Yesterday when he was going to the office, my mother told him not to go to work and instead go with us to an engagement ceremony of a relative. He did not go with us and went to work. Last night a number of our relatives came to our house and only this morning did I hear I had lost my father,” said Omid.
One of Akhtar Mohammad’s relatives, Sayed Hafiz, said: “The organization he was working for and also government should support Akhtar Mohammad’s family and make sure his children can continue their education.”
Farshad Noori, 17, was another victim of Sunday’s attack. At his burial ceremony in Tapa-e-Bibi Mahro in Kabul, his relatives said he worked during the day and went to school at night.
His relatives said government has failed to maintain the security of the people and that security officials must do their jobs properly in order to safeguard civilians lives.
“Farshad had lots of dreams. He always wanted peace and security to come to the country and that he should get a good job. But this incident took his life,” said Mangal, Noori’s eldest brother.
“We want peace. For how long can such incidents take lives,” said Tamim, Noori’s uncle.
Elsewhere in Tapa-e-Bibi Mahro, another victim, Yasin, 36, was buried. Yasin is survived by three children and his wife.
Yasin had a shop close to the airport and according to his relatives, he was struggling financially.
Angry relatives of Yasin blasted security officials for failing to prevent such attacks in Kabul.
“There is no bigger shame than this for you (government leaders). If you cannot govern, then step down. You have filled your pockets and now you have everything. It is enough and you should leave government to someone else,” said Ghulam Yahya, the brother of Yasin.
“Who will take care of Mohammad Yasin’s children? Who will feed them now?,” asked another relative, Hakim Khan.