This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22705575
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Attack on Red Cross office in Afghan city of Jalalabad | |
(35 minutes later) | |
An office of the Red Cross has been attacked in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, local officials say. | An office of the Red Cross has been attacked in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, local officials say. |
A suicide bomber targeted the office gate, with two attackers now holed up inside the building, officials say. | |
A gun battle between the attackers and security forces is continuing, according to a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province. | A gun battle between the attackers and security forces is continuing, according to a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province. |
The Red Cross confirmed on its Twitter feed that "an incident" had occurred, but provided no further information. | The Red Cross confirmed on its Twitter feed that "an incident" had occurred, but provided no further information. |
A spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province said a guard near the building was killed in the attack. | |
Six foreign nationals have been evacuated from the building, an interior ministry spokesman said. | |
Local residents told the BBC that they heard a large explosion followed by gun shots in the heart of the city, close to the Iranian and Indian consulates. | |
The explosion was so powerful that it broke glass in shops and homes several hundred meters away. | |
The elite Afghan Special Forces have been deployed to fight the insurgents, according to eye witnesses. | |
'Spring offensive' | |
This is the second time in less than a week that international aid workers have been caught up in violence. | |
On Friday several staff at the International Organization for Migration were injured in an attack in Kabul. | |
The Taliban announced a "spring offensive" in April, saying they would target foreign military bases and diplomatic areas. | The Taliban announced a "spring offensive" in April, saying they would target foreign military bases and diplomatic areas. |
At least 16 members of the security forces were killed in Taliban attacks across the country on Monday and Tuesday. | At least 16 members of the security forces were killed in Taliban attacks across the country on Monday and Tuesday. |
In March, Taliban suicide attackers stormed a police station in Jalalabad, killing five policemen and injuring 13 people. | In March, Taliban suicide attackers stormed a police station in Jalalabad, killing five policemen and injuring 13 people. |
In December the Taliban attacked a joint US-Afghan airbase in the city, killing four Afghan soldiers and wounding Nato troops. | In December the Taliban attacked a joint US-Afghan airbase in the city, killing four Afghan soldiers and wounding Nato troops. |