KABUL — A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Kabul restaurant filled with foreigners and affluent Afghans, while two gunmen sneaked in through the backdoor and opened fire Friday in an attack that killed 16 people, officials said.
The Taliban claimed responsibility within an hour of the attack against La Taverna du Liban. The bombing served as a reminder that although militant violence in the capital has dropped off, insurgents remain capable of carrying out attacks inside heavily guarded areas.
Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, said the assault began with the suicide bomber detonating his explosives at the front door of the restaurant. As chaos ensued, the two other attackers entered through the kitchen and began shooting. They were later killed by security guards.
Kabul Police Chief Gen. Mohammad Zahir Zahir said foreigners and Afghans were among the dead. Four United Nations personnel were among those killed, said U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
