UPDATE 2 - Attack on Afghan government compound kills 43

UPDATES WITH EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT, STATEMENTS BY MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH, UN MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN, AFGHAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL (AA) - Gunmen stormed a government building in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday and killed 43 people in a standoff with security forces lasting some eight hours.

One police officer was among those killed, while at least 20 other people were wounded, according to the Afghan Health Ministry.

The entire compound of the Ministry of Public Works on Tuesday depicted the sight of a full-blown war with blood and smoke all over, an eyewitness told Anadolu Agency.

According to the eyewitness, the attackers, wearing military uniforms, had bags full of arms and ammunition, and they torched the ministry offices during the hours-long exchange of fire.

Waheed Majrosh, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed an overwhelming majority of the victims were civilians.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it was actively working to verify information indicating scores of civilians, including women, were killed and injured in the coordinated attacks in and around government offices.

“These attacks cause untold human suffering to Afghan families,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the head of UNAMA.

“The United Nations unequivocally condemns them, as there is no justification whatsoever for such attacks,” he added.

The attack began in the afternoon on Monday following a suicide car bombing outside the Ministry of Public Works. The attackers then stormed the building of the National Authority for Disabled People and Martyrs’ Families and took its employees hostage.

Afghan soldiers intervened, and a roughly eight-hour siege ensued, during which the attackers were shot dead.

Najib Danish, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, announced after midnight that the siege had ended and security forces had managed to safely evacuate 357 government employees.

Earlier, police spokesman Basir Mujahed told Anadolu Agency that the attackers consisted of five armed men and a suicide bomber.

Meanwhile, the country’s Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, has categorically blamed the Taliban rebels for the massacre.

Addressing a Cabinet session on Tuesday, Abdullah said the Taliban and any country -- which has given sanctuary to the Taliban and is giving safe haven to the group and are supporting them -- are behind the attack.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.