Burqa-clad suicide bombers killed in Sarobi

KABUL-clad bombers and one policeman were killed as a result of a suicide attack on the Sarobi district police headquarters in central Kabul province early Friday morning, an official said.

Deputy Minister of Interior Gen. Ayub Salangi told Pajhwok Afghan News that the clash erupted at around 6:30 am, lasting two and a half hours. It ended with the killing of three attackers and injuries to as many police personnel.

The Kabul police headquarters acknowledged the loss of policeman and injuries to four others. In a statement, police said civilians were not harmed by the fighting.

A police officer at the site said one of the assailants, who had come in a van, blew himself up in front of the entrance to the police compound. The rest started exchanging fire with the security personnel.

Giving an eyewitness account, one passenger Hamidullah told Pajhwok Afghan News a fierce fighting was ongoing in the district centre.

The busy Jalalabad-Kabul road was closed due to the intense fire exchange, he said, adding that columns of smoke billowed from the police compound.

Present at the scene, Pajhwok reporter Painda Hikmat said the Jalalabad-Kabul road was reopened for traffic at around 9:00 am.

Heavy police contingents arrived at the scene to control the situation after the battle. Quoting an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier, he said a policeman had been killed in the clash.

A source in the district hospital, meanwhile, confirmed receiving one dead body and six wounded people from the scene of fighting. He would not comment on condition of the injured.

As usual, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. The group’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said a large number of security personnel had suffered casualties in the suicide assault.

rm/mud

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