KABUL: The Taliban attacked the offices of an international NGO in the Afghan capital on Wednesday, setting off a huge explosion and battling Afghan security forces in an assault that wounded at least nine people, officials said.
According to the international news agency, Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Mayar said that at least nine Afghans were wounded in the attack.
It was not immediately clear if any foreigners had been wounded. A large plume of smoke rose from the area and the sound of sporadic gunfire could be heard.
The attack targeted an international aid group called Counterpart International, which has offices near those of the Afghan attorney general, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi.
Taliban spokesman said the group attacked the organization because it was involved in “harmful Western activities” inside Afghanistan, without elaborating.
The insurgents stage near-daily attacks on Afghan forces, even as peace efforts have accelerated to find an end to the country’s 17-year war.
