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Save the Children offices in Afghanistan hit by attack Save the Children offices attacked in Jalalabad, Afghanistan
(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 two people have been killed and 12 injured, officials say. It is believed about 50 staff were in the building at the time.At least two people have been killed and 12 injured, officials say. It is believed about 50 staff were in the building at the time.
At least three gunmen are involved in the attack, reports say, with fighting continuing on the upper floor.At least three gunmen are involved in the attack, reports say, with fighting continuing on the upper floor.
No group has yet said it was behind the attack. The Islamic State group has said it is behind the attack.
What's the latest?What's the latest?
The attack started at about 09:10 local time (04:40 GMT) on Wednesday when a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle explosive at the entrance to the Save the Children compound, Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, told the BBC. The attack started at about 09:10 local time (04:40 GMT) on Wednesday when a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle explosive at the entrance to the Save the Children compound, Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, 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.
Unconfirmed reports say at least two attackers have also been killed.Unconfirmed reports say at least two attackers have also been killed.
Afghan commandos have joined police to try to end the attack.
Earlier, one WhatsApp message, reported by AFP to be from an employee, had read: "I can hear two attackers... They are looking for us. Pray for us... Inform the security forces."Earlier, one WhatsApp message, reported by AFP to be from an employee, had 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 responsible?
Uncertain as yet. The Islamic State group said in a message on its news outlet Amaq that three attackers and an explosives-laden car had targeted "British, Swedish and Afghan institutions in Jalalabad".
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 city has been a stronghold for IS, 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 Taliban had earlier denied carrying out the attack.
But in a Twitter message the group denied carrying out the Jalalabad attack. Their fighters had been behind the storming of a luxury hotel in Kabul at the weekend that killed at least 22 people, mostly foreigners.
What has Save the Children said?What has Save the Children said?
A statement from Save the Children said the group was "devastated" at the news of the attack, adding: "Our primary concern is for the safety and security of our staff."A statement from Save the Children 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."
UK Secretary of State for International Development Penny Mordaunt condemned the attack in a departmental tweet.UK Secretary of State for International Development Penny Mordaunt condemned the attack in a departmental tweet.
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.