On 31 May 2017 a large truck bomb exploded in the diplomatic-quarter of Kabul, near the German embassy, killing over 150 people and injuring around 400. The explosion created a crater about nine metres deep and caused extensive damage several kilometres away. The attack was one of the deadliest in Kabul’s history and highlighted the vulnerability of the capital, including areas thought to be relatively secure. While the group responsible was claimed by the Haqqani Network (with alleged links to Taliban), the attack underscored how insurgents had escalated their capability and target reach. The shock-value of the event reverberated globally.
