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6 killed in IS attack on international aid agency office in Afghanistan (Third Lead)
Kabul, Jan 24 (IANS) At least six persons, including three attackers, were killed and 20 injured in an attack on the headquarters of a British aid agency in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad city on Wednesday. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the strike.
The assault began in the morning with a suicide car bomb blast at the entrance of Save the Children agency’s compound. Several assailants then stormed into the building in the eastern Afghan city and opened fire.
Officials said about 50 staff were in the building at the time. Nangarhar provincial government spokesman Attaullah Khogyani said two security guards, one civilian and three attackers were killed, Efe news reported.
A member of the provincial council of Nangarhar, Zabihullah Zmarai, said an injured assailant was believed to be still inside the building and resisting security forces.
Following the attack, the international aid agency said it had suspended all of its operations in Afghanistan. “We remain committed to resuming our operations and lifesaving work as soon as possible,” it said.
The London-based charity works in 16 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces and its programmes reach more than 700,000 children, according to its website.
The Islamic State’s local affiliate in Afghanistan claimed responsibility for the attack via the group’s Amaq news outlet. It said that four attackers and an explosives-laden car had targeted “British, Swedish and Afghan institutions in Jalalabad”.
“I saw a white car arrive, then armed men rushed out of the car,” said a witness. “After that a blast occurred, followed by gunfire. I had to run away to seek safety for myself.”
Images showed a huge plume of thick black smoke rising from the compound and people fleeing from the area, the local media reported.
The aid agency earlier tweeted that it was “devastated”. Save the Children carries out education, healthcare and protection work for children in Afghanistan.
There are at least two schools in the area where the attack occurred. Pictures circulating on social media showed people running away from the scene.
“This is an outrage,” Nicholas Kay, the British ambassador to Afghanistan, said on Twitter.
Afghanistan’s CEO Abdullah Abdullah said “such attacks show insurgents do not care and just want to create terror among the people”.
All security forces across the country were ordered to “not show sympathy to insurgents and to eliminate them”, Abdullah said.
Swedish Ambassador to Afghanistan Tobias Thyberg also condemned the attack.
Charity groups continue to work under tough conditions in Afghanistan, facing regular attacks and kidnappings.
In October last year, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced it would be “drastically” reducing “its presence and activities” in the country after several attacks and the killings of seven of its staff members.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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