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Save the Children office in Afghanistan hit by attack Save the Children offices in Afghanistan hit by attack
(35 minutes later)
Attackers have detonated explosives before storming the offices of the Save the Children charity in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad.Attackers have detonated explosives before storming the offices of the Save the Children charity in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad.
At least 11 people are reported injured so far. At least 11 people are reported injured so far. It is believed about 50 staff were in the building at the time.
A suspected suicide car bomb blast began the assault, with the gunmen now said to be using machine guns and RPGs from higher floors in the building.A suspected suicide car bomb blast began the assault, with the gunmen now said to be using machine guns and RPGs from higher floors in the building.
Images showed residents fleeing from the area. No group has yet said it is behind the attack. No group has yet said it is behind Wednesday's attack.
Jalalabad, near the border with Pakistan, is often targeted by Taliban militants but it is also a stronghold for the Islamic State group, whose fighters have been active there since 2015. What's the latest on the attack?
The latest attack comes days after Taliban gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Kabul killing at least 22 people, mostly foreigners. It started at about 09:10 local time (04:40 GMT) when a suicide attacker detonated a car bomb at the entrance to the Save the Children compound, Ataullah Khogyani, a provincial government spokesperson, told the BBC.
In a Twitter message the group denied carrying out the Jalalabad attack.
It started at about 09:10 local time (04:40 GMT) on Wednesday when a suicide attacker detonated a car bomb at the entrance to the Save the Children compound, Ataullah Khogyani, a provincial government spokesperson, told the BBC.
An eyewitness who was inside the compound at the time told AFP news agency that he saw a gunman hitting the main gate with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).An eyewitness who was inside the compound at the time told AFP news agency that he saw a gunman hitting the main gate with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
Images showed a huge plume of thick black smoke rising from the compound.Images showed a huge plume of thick black smoke rising from the compound.
Local journalist Bilal Sarwary said police had told him Afghan commandos were at the scene and that the attackers were on the upper floors of the building, using heavy machine guns, grenades and RPGs.Local journalist Bilal Sarwary said police had told him Afghan commandos were at the scene and that the attackers were on the upper floors of the building, using heavy machine guns, grenades and RPGs.
He says initial reports suggest there are two or three attackers.He says initial reports suggest there are two or three attackers.
One WhatsApp message, reported by AFP to be from an employee, read: "I can hear two attackers... They are looking for us. Pray for us... Inform the security forces."One WhatsApp message, reported by AFP to be from an employee, read: "I can hear two attackers... They are looking for us. Pray for us... Inform the security forces."
An emailed statement from a Save the Children spokesperson said the group was "devastated" at the news of the attack, adding: "Our primary concern is for the safety and security of our staff."
There are several other aid agencies in the area, along with government offices.There are several other aid agencies in the area, along with government offices.
Save the Children carries out education, healthcare and protection work for Children in Afghanistan. Who is behind it?
Charity groups continue to work under tough conditions in the country, facing regular attacks and kidnappings. The Red Cross announced in October it was drastically reducing its presence in Afghanistan after seven of its staff were killed in attacks in 2017. Uncertain as yet.
Jalalabad, near the border with Pakistan, is often targeted by Taliban militants but it is also a stronghold for the Islamic State group, whose fighters have been active there since 2015.
The latest attack comes days after Taliban gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Kabul killing at least 22 people, mostly foreigners.
But in a Twitter message the group denied carrying out the Jalalabad attack.
What has Save the Children said?
An emailed statement from a Save the Children spokesperson said the group was "devastated" at the news of the attack, adding: "Our primary concern is for the safety and security of our staff."
It added: "We are awaiting further information from our team and cannot comment further at this time."
The UN's mission in Afghanistan said: "Attacks directed at civilians or aid organisations are clear violations of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes."
What is Save the Children's Afghan work?
The charity has been working in Afghanistan since 1976. It currently runs programmes across 16 provinces in Afghanistan.
According to the aid agency, more than 700,000 children in Afghanistan have been reached over the years through its efforts.
The organisation says it aims to provide better access to education, healthcare and essential supplies to children across the globe.
Are charity groups targeted in Afghanistan?
They continue to work under tough conditions in the country, facing regular attacks and kidnappings.
The Red Cross announced in October that it was drastically reducing its presence in Afghanistan after seven of its staff were killed in attacks in 2017.
Attacks over the years include:
Additionally, the US bombing of a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Kunduz in October 2015 killed 22 people.