Taliban kill 11 in assault on Afghan intelligence compound

Taliban insurgents launched a posh assault on an intelligence compound in northern Afghanistan on Monday that started with a suicide bombing and killed no less than 11 intelligence company personnel, officers mentioned.

The assault came about in Aybak, the capital of the Samangan province. Sediq Azizi, a spokesman for the provincial governor, mentioned one other 63 folks have been wounded within the assault and the following clashes.

A suicide bomber struck the compound, adopted by two insurgents who opened fireplace. Both have been killed within the gunbattle, Azizi mentioned. The blast from the preliminary bombing may very well be heard miles (kilometers) away and broken a number of close by buildings.

Abdul Khalil Musadiq, a provincial hospital chief, mentioned lots of these wounded have been civilians, together with youngsters.

The Taliban claimed the assault. The insurgents have continued to often goal Afghan safety forces regardless of signing a peace settlement with the U.S. in February that was meant to pave the way in which for an finish to many years of battle.

On Sunday, the Taliban attacked checkpoints within the northern Kunduz province, killing no less than 14 Afghan safety forces, in accordance with Esmatullah Muradi, a spokesman for the provincial governor.

The Taliban mentioned they have been behind the assaults however claimed authorities forces fired mortar shells in response, hitting civilian properties — a claimed dismissed by the Defense Ministry.

The Taliban and authorities forces have been buying and selling blame over a latest surge in violence throughout Afghanistan — whilst efforts proceed to attempt to convey concerning the begin of direct peace talks between the federal government and the insurgents.

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the assault in Samangan and accused the Taliban of attempting to strengthen their hand forward of any negotiations.

The Taliban accuse authorities forces of concentrating on them of their properties, with their households bearing the brunt of these operations. The authorities says the insurgents proceed to assault safety forces and civilians.

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Associated Press author Tameem Akhgar in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed to this report.