Taliban claim attack on vice-president’s security convoy

CHARIKAR): A convoy of the guards of 2^nd Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili came under militant attack in the Sheikh Ali district of central Parwan province on Sunday, officials said.

The insurgents fired with RPG and 82-mm artillery at the convoy in the Tangi Lali area of the district at 10am, the town’s administrative head, Noor Aqa Sami, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The attackers fled the area after a 30-minute clash, he said, adding the engagement caused no casualties. Khalili visited Bamyan to inaugurate expansion work on the Shibertu airport before flying back to Kabul on Saturday.

As usual, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with their spokesman saying that Khalili and other senior officials were attacked on their way back to Kabul in the Tangi Lalai area of Sheik Ali district.

Eight security guards of the vice-president were killed and several others wounded in the assault, according to Zabihullah Mujahid, who said a number of vehicles were damaged.

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