KABUL, Afghanistan — A suicide bomber killed 14 Nepali and Indian security guards in the Afghan capital on Monday, in one of the deadliest attacks on foreign contractors since the war here began nearly 15 years ago.
The attack occurred as two buses transporting the guards — all assigned to security details at the Canadian Embassy — pulled out of a housing compound in the eastern part of Kabul. A suicide bomber approached on foot and blew himself up next to one of the buses.
The attack also wounded nine people, according to the Afghan Interior Ministry.
In a statement, the Taliban insurgency asserted responsibility for the attack, saying it was aimed at “forces of aggression.” But the Islamic State militant group also issued a statement claiming responsibility, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant activity.
In a statement posted to Twitter, the Canadian Embassy decried the “cowardly attack.” Afghan officials initially said that all the guards killed were from Nepal, but a later statement from the embassy noted “Nepalese and Indian security guards killed.” No further details were provided.