More than 40 people, mostly civilians, were injured after gunmen clashed with security forces after a car bomb exploded at a government complex in Samangan province in northern Afghanistan.
The attack claimed by the Taliban group on Monday took place at a government facility in Samangan’s capital Aybak, near an office of the National Security Directorate (NDS), the main intelligence agency, authorities said.
“It is a complex attack that started with a car bomb. The fighting with the attackers continues,” said Mohammad Sediq Azizi, spokesman for the Samangan provincial government.
The province’s health director, Khalil Musadeq, said 43 civilians, including children, and members of the security forces had been injured in the attack, and that number is expected to increase and deaths are expected.
Witness Waseh Suhail said shots could still be heard inside the NDS complex.
“It was a huge explosion that broke all of our windows,” said Haseeb, who gave only one name, a government employee who worked nearby.
“Many people have been injured by flying glass pieces.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said the armed group, which is active in the province and recently intensified attacks there, was behind the attack.
Separately, at least 26 security forces were killed in coordinated attacks on Sunday in Kunduz province, also in the north, also claimed by the Taliban.
Attacks on The Chahar Dara and Imam Sahib districts left 14 security forces and three Taliban fighters dead, Esmatullah Muradi, sKunduz governor’s spokesman told Anadolu news agency on Monday.
The recent attacks come at a delicate time as violence in the country escalates, even as the United States attempts to lead the government and the Taliban into peace talks to end more than 18 years of war.
The so-called intra-Afghan dialogue was agreed as part of the agreement between the United States and the Taliban signed in the Qatari capital, Doha.
The February deal, which excluded the Kabul government, called for a gradual withdrawal of US forces and an exchange of prisoners between Kabul and the Taliban.
The Taliban have been fighting foreign forces since he was ousted from power in a 2001 U.S.-led invasion.
On Sunday, accusing the Afghan government of delaying the start of the talks, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the Taliban “had no choice but to continue the war.”
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
.
