45 Save the Children employees rescued: Mangal

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): As the battle between security forces and gunmen continued inside the Save the Children compound in eastern Nangarhar province as of 5pm Wednesday, the governor said 45 officials of the children’s organization were rescued.

Addressing reporters here, Governor Gulab Mangal said three people, including two employees of the Save the Children, were killed and 24 others injured in the assault.

Eighteen injured people were discharged from hospitals after initial treatment, Mangal said, adding the number of assailants was six.

He said a total 45 employees had been rescued from the building, adding that security forces were still engaged battling the attackers.

The governor acknowledged security officials had also suffered casualties but exact number would be provided to the media by security officials.

The attack began when a suicide bombing allowing other attackers to enter the office of Save the Children organization in Jalalabad.

Attaullah Khogyani, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the attack in the limits of the 3rd police district of the city began at around 9am.

nh/ma