Fear stalks the streets of Kabul

Violence has been escalating in Afghanistan's capital Kabul over recent months.

After a suicide bomber killed at least 12 people outside the interior ministry, residents of the city describe how the bloodshed has injected fear into daily life.

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MUSTHAQ HABIBI, 22, CONSTRUCTION TRADER

Mushtaq Habibi rushed to the scene of Saturday's explosion

It was about 8am when I heard the bomb. I was some distance away and drove to the scene of the explosion.

It happened on a really busy street. By then the police had covered the area and wouldn't let us go close, but I did see that people were in a bad condition.

Blood was spattered on the streets. I saw the wreckage of a car. I've never experienced such a horrible incident. There is a school very nearby. I heard that children were injured.

When I got there, police were sweeping the blood from the street. When I saw that happening, I thought: "Is this our future now?"

One witness told me that the suicide bomber wanted to enter inside the building but the police didn't let him. When the police got suspicious, he abruptly detonated the bomb.

Kabul doesn't feel safe anymore. Terrorist activities have been increased. It's not just me, lots of people feel more at risk.

AJMAL WALIYER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT, 24

Ajmal Waliyer has lived in Kabul since 2002

What happened in Kabul today is utterly wrong.

I have lived here since 2002. We lived in Pakistan during the Taleban years.

When we saw Kabul for the first time after the war, we had great hope that never again would war return to the streets of Kabul, there would be no bomb explosions.

Until last year, we felt this was a happy city, we thought the country was developing for the good. Our neighbours returned as well.

But once again, attacks are happening here. Any hope that the country would improve has gone.

I don't feel safe personally, I am always watching out. The atmosphere is bad because every time we go out from our homes, we are scared of bombs.

I feel there is little hope for the Afghan people. War is coming back. Life has been turned upside down.

WAHEEDULLAH POPALZAI, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE, 27

I think today is the worst day of my life.

I work for one of the government ministries and friends and colleagues from the bombed interior ministry came to our offices after the explosion.

They told us that many people have been killed and many more injured. We are very shocked. These were just people going about their daily duties.

People on the streets feel quite insecure. There has been a big rise in this kind of attack. The citizens of Kabul are very worried.

My family lived in Pakistan for 20 years to escape the chaos in Afghanistan and we returned in 2002. We thought that was a good decision. But now, things have changed.

I know people are considering leaving again.

MUSTAFA KAZEM, 33, FINANCIER

A bomb exploded near Mustafa Kazem's home earlier in September

We are very fearful that Kabul may dissolve further into a city of suicide bombings. We are afraid that it is going to become another Baghdad.

I have been affected by a bomb explosion in the last few months. A vehicle was bombed, it was a very powerful blast and people were killed. We felt the blast at home - it shook the walls.

Having it so close to where you live was scary. We saw the immediate aftermath of chaos and sadness.

This shakes that little bit of security that people have, where you feel you can go about your day and work. You try not to think about it, but something like that brings you back to reality.

We are afraid this is going to become another Baghdad

I have watched the situation deteriorate here. Things are going in the wrong direction. Two years ago there was a lot of optimism and calm. I was very gung-ho about being here and making positive changes.

This violence makes me question my presence here. People are feeling discouraged.

The whole city is talking about this. Although life goes on, there is certainly a renewed sense of concern and nervousness.

MUHAMMAD KHAN, 30, NGO EMPLOYEE

Muhammad Khans says the optimism of a few years ago has faded

I think people are really terrified. There is tight security all around and still the bombings continue.

We are afraid to go to the office in the car. No-one knows when there will be a sudden bomb with many people killed.

The people of Afghanistan are suffering. They suffered when the Russians attacked, they suffered from internal warfare, they suffered under the Taleban.

Under the Taleban time, the people of Kabul were afraid to walk the streets, they were angry.

Now, we are suffering again when all the world is here. And we still cannot walk the streets freely.

I have lived in Kabul for three years. When we first came, we were very excited to have our own government, prosperity, and construction. There was a lot of excitement and optimism. But that has all faded now.