Afghanistan’s Haqqani terrorist network was behind a suicide bombing at a volleyball game in November 2014 in which 61 died, including many children.
PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN – Jihadis hate so many things that even a friendly game of volleyball is seen as a legitimate target.
When I used to work in counter terrorism I used to joke that there is no ‘fun’ in FUNdamentalism. Some did not appreciate the humour.
What I noticed is that those who subscribe to an ultraconservative interpretation of just about any religion seem to dislike anything that some view as pleasurable. Things like sex (they were ok with it provided it was for procreation purposes only and was not enjoyed!), and alcohol, and smoking, and watching TV and movies.
Amongst the worst of this bunch are the Islamist extremists. Not only are they fundamentalist, they are also violent. And they hate just about any demonstration of people having fun. Today’s featured attack is a good example.
On this day in 2014
On this day in 2014 a suicide bomber attacked spectators at a volleyball match in the southern province of Paktika, killing at least 50 and wounding another 60. Many children were said to be among the dead. The so-called Haqqani Network, an Islamist terrorist organisation founded by a former Afghan warlord and insurgent commander during the anti-Soviet war.
This indiscriminate attack in an area crowded with civilians demonstrates a complete disregard for civilian lives. Deliberately and indiscriminately causing death and injury to such a large number of civilians is an atrocity.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Nicolas Haysom
How anyone can carry out an attack in the obvious presence of children is beyond me. I do not care whether you are fundamentalist, moderate, or agnostic: this goes too far.
