Death toll from Taliban's Kabul attacks rises to 22

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - The death toll from Wednesday’s coordinated attacks by the Taliban on two security installations in the Afghan capital Kabul climbed to 22 Thursday, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

In a statement, the ministry said the dead included 11 civilians, four security personnel and seven militants; over 50 others sustained injuries.

On Wednesday, a Taliban suicide bomber first hit the entrance of the 6th district police station’s main gate with a vehicle loaded with explosives.

This was followed by an armed assault by four Taliban fighters on the police center, which is located adjacent to a military academy.

Fareedon Obaidi, director investigations for police in Kabul, told Anadolu Agency the attackers were killed before they could enter the compounds.

Obaidi said three policemen were among the dead.

The second attack had targeted the regional office of the spy agency, National Directorate of Security (NDS), which left two armed attackers and a security guard dead.

Health Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ismaeel said most casualties were caused by the suicide blast. “The condition of some 10 injured remains critical,” Ismaeel added.

- Taliban claim overrunning district

On Wednesday, Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabehullah Mujahid said the militant group overran the Tala Barfak district in northern Baghlan province after allegedly killing “scores of security personnel”.

Afghan officials Thursday confirmed the Taliban’s claim. According to Tala Barfark district chief Faiz Mohammad Amiri, Afghan security forces vacated the district headquarters after two days of intense fighting with the Taliban.