AfghanistanÂ’s top civilian counter-terrorism official and KabulÂ’s police chief are among eight security officials who have been suspended from their posts following a recent assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai, authorities said Monday. The attorney generalÂ’s office will question the officials, who were considered responsible for security during the April 27 attack, said Hayatullah Hayat, a spokesman for the office. Karzai escaped unhurt from the gunfire during a military parade in Kabul that was also attended by foreign ambassadors. Three other people, including a lawmaker, were killed.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attempt on KarzaiÂ’s life. But officials have also blamed Al Qaida linked militants and have arrested two Afghan government employees for alleged involvement in the plot.
Hayat did not specify why the eight officials - among them Abdul Manan Farahi, the Interior Ministry official in charge of counter- terrorism - were suspended. He said their fate, including whether they could face criminal charges, will be determined after questioning, but did not say if they were considered suspects or whether they were removed because of negligence.
The attack was at least the fourth attempt to kill Karzai since he came to power six years ago.