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-42800271

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Save the Children offices 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. It is believed about 50 staff were in the building at the time. At least one person has been killed and 11 injured. 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.
No group has yet said it is behind Wednesday's attack.No group has yet said it is behind Wednesday's attack.
What's the latest on the attack?What's the latest on the attack?
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.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.
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. He also says a doctor has told him at least one Afghan soldier has been killed.
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."
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.
Who is behind it?Who is behind it?
Uncertain as yet.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.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.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.But in a Twitter message the group denied carrying out the Jalalabad attack.
What has Save the Children said?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."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."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."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?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.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.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.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?Are charity groups targeted in Afghanistan?
They continue to work under tough conditions in the country, facing regular attacks and kidnappings.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.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:Attacks over the years include:
Additionally, the US bombing of a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Kunduz in October 2015 killed 22 people.Additionally, the US bombing of a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Kunduz in October 2015 killed 22 people.