New video puts Pentagon account of 2021 Kabul airport attack under cloud: Report
C-17 transport plane leaving Kabul airport
The United States said in a recent review that a 2021 suicide bombing in Kabul that killed scores of people, including 13 American troops, could not have been prevented "at the tactical level". But a never-before-seen video seen by CNN put the Pentagon account under a cloud.
What happened on August 26, 2021?
People were desperate to flee Afghanistan after the US and other Western forces withdrew from Afghanistan. NATO Allies and partner countries had military forces deployed to Afghanistan for nearly 20 years.
But as per the Doha deal, all US forces were supposed to depart by 11 September and the Taliban took power in the closing days of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
CJP's Saurav Das says no one takes Kangana Ranaut seriously; actress calls him 'totally useless and unemployed'
)
'First dumb AI': Meta AI blocks Indian PM Modi's video in his own country, allows abuse ads and deletes livelihoods without explanation
)
CBI files chargesheet against 13 accused in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case: Who are they?
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
He predicted COVID-19 and 2008 economic crisis, was labeled fearmonger. Now he has another dire warning
)
'He wants me to stay involved': Trump says Netanyahu publicised Iran intel to keep US engaged
)
69th Grammy Awards: BTS decline music submissions after Recording Academy introduces Asian Pop category
)
Flesh Impact: Dakota Johnson transforms as Marilyn Monroe for Maggie Gyllenhaal's short film | See pics
)
Alert for torrential rains across Jammu division; flash flood risk over next five days
)
Trump pops THIS, then appears to doze off at Lindsey Graham’s funeral: Watch
)
5 Overs, 5 Wickets and ZERO Runs: Justin Greaves bowls world record spell against Pakistan| WATCH
)
Cat’s bizarre reaction before Japan earthquake goes viral: Did it detect the tremors?
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 7: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
Was stone-laden truck planted at Jantar Mantar before CJP march? Delhi Police reveals truth about ‘conspiracy’ claim
)
You are a 'Naked Official' in China if you hold high posts and have children or spouse abroad. What about India?
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
'Why so much hate?' Netanyahu breaks silence on New York visit amid Mamdani's arrest threat
)
'Asian Bradman' Zaheer Abbas backs Rohit, Virat for 2027 ODI World Cup
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Putin's big warning amid Ukraine war escalation
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Giant iceberg flips violently near Greenland exposing its underside - 'I didn't know they could do that'
)
Making way for Musk's Optimus? Trump administration bans foreign-made humanoid robots. Here's why
)
‘Dangerous escalation’: US, Saudi strike Iran-backed group in Iraq; at least 20 killed
)
'Broader struggle for democracy...': Greta Thunberg joins Indian students protest in London - What she said
)
Netanyahu tells Trump Israel may have 'no choice' but to strike Iran again: Report
)
Iran launches first attack on US forces since Trump halted strikes, missiles intercepted
)
PoK violence escalates: 67 dead as India rejects Pakistan's polls as a 'cosmetic exercise' | Gravitas
)
67 dead in Munir's deadly PoK crackdown, India slams 'cosmetic' elections
)
Watch a SpaceX rocket crash into the moon at 8,750 km/hr on THIS day
)
₹16 crore Dehradun bridge approach road collapses just 17 days after inauguration, repaired within 12 hours
)
Oil prices jump over 3% after US says it intercepted Iranian missile attack
)
Assam flood toll rises to 75 as seven drown in Sivasagar; CM Himanta announces ₹9 lakh aid for victims' families
)
Jennifer Lopez's ex-husband Ojani Noa claims he confronted Sean 'Diddy' Combs over alleged affair
The evacuation began in August 2021, with more than 120,000 people evacuated in the Allied airlift from Kabul airport, including around 2,000 Afghans working for NATO, and their families.
The tragic Abbey Gate bombing happened on August 26 outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport. It turned out to be the worst casualty incident for Afghan civilians and US troops in Afghanistan in over a decade.
The attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, targeted crowds of people on the perimeter of Kabul airport who were desperate to get on a flight out of the country. The White House said last year that the Taliban killed the mastermind of the attack.
Last week, a review team member told journalists on condition of anonymity that "there was no opportunity to engage the bomberprior tothe attack," which "was not preventable at the tactical level".
The review team member said that the bomber arrived "very shortly before the attack," and was not the "suspicious individual" identified by snipers earlier in the day of the bombing.
He further said that "over the past two years, some servicemembers have claimed that they had the bomber in their sights, and they could have prevented the attack. But we now know that is not correct."
Watch:Gravitas: Russia, US set for a showdown on a crucial UNSC vote
What does the new video suggest?
The new video evidence,captured by a Marine's GoPro camera, suggests thatthere was far more gunfire than the Pentagon has ever admitted. The video has not been seen publicly in full before.
The report said that a dozen US military personnel who were on the scene spoke to the outlet on condition of anonymity. They shared details of the incident.
The US claims that all deaths and injuries were caused by the explosive device and the ball bearings it fired into the crowd,but a military personnel told CNN that he heard the first large burst of shooting come from where US Marines were standing. "It wasn't onesies and twosies. It was a mass volume of gunfire," the Marine said as quoted.
(With inputs from agencies)