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/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-south-asia-14520520
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Afghanistan: Many die in assault on governor's compound | Afghanistan: Many die in assault on governor's compound |
(40 minutes later) | |
At least 19 people are dead and many are injured after militants in Afghanistan stormed the provincial governor's compound in Parwan. | At least 19 people are dead and many are injured after militants in Afghanistan stormed the provincial governor's compound in Parwan. |
Powerful explosions followed by bursts of gunfire were heard in the provincial capital, Charikar, an hour's drive north-west of Kabul, witnesses said. | Powerful explosions followed by bursts of gunfire were heard in the provincial capital, Charikar, an hour's drive north-west of Kabul, witnesses said. |
The governor, Abdul Basir Salangi, told media from inside the compound that up to six suicide bombers had struck. | The governor, Abdul Basir Salangi, told media from inside the compound that up to six suicide bombers had struck. |
The Taliban say they carried out the attack, which lasted at least an hour. | |
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville says Parvan is usually relatively peaceful. | The BBC's Quentin Sommerville says Parvan is usually relatively peaceful. |
However, under-equipped police there have been struggling both to resist Taliban militants and a rising crime level. | However, under-equipped police there have been struggling both to resist Taliban militants and a rising crime level. |
Close quarters | |
Militants attacked the compound just after 11:00 (06:30 GMT), the Afghan interior ministry said. | Militants attacked the compound just after 11:00 (06:30 GMT), the Afghan interior ministry said. |
A suicide car bomb was detonated, after which five other militants wearing bomb vests broke into the compound, police said. | A suicide car bomb was detonated, after which five other militants wearing bomb vests broke into the compound, police said. |
Mr Salangi told the BBC: ''A suicide attacker wearing a police uniform... detonated his explosives outside the northern gate. Then five others attacked my office. | |
"They managed to get inside the compound to the halls. The fighting went on for one hour." | |
Police and intelligence sources told the BBC the compound was attacked from several directions. | |
Fighting was so fierce that government forces were sometimes just a meter (yard) from their attackers. | |
"They even got close to the governor's office... but his bodyguards opened fire, killing the last attacker, who was using a rocket-propelled grenade," a police source said. | |
A meeting of security chiefs was under way at the time, with local police and intelligence chiefs present, along with advisers from the international coalition. | A meeting of security chiefs was under way at the time, with local police and intelligence chiefs present, along with advisers from the international coalition. |
According to the independent Afghan news agency Pajhwok, most of the victims had come to the governor's house to collect their national identity cards. | According to the independent Afghan news agency Pajhwok, most of the victims had come to the governor's house to collect their national identity cards. |
At least two US military officials were taking part but were unhurt, according to provincial police chief Sher Mohammad Maladani. | |
The governor's compound has come under attack on previous occasions. | The governor's compound has come under attack on previous occasions. |
The Taliban recently appeared to change their tactics, launching attacks on prominent figures or targets which were deemed to be particularly well-protected. | The Taliban recently appeared to change their tactics, launching attacks on prominent figures or targets which were deemed to be particularly well-protected. |
Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? You can send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? You can send us your experiences using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |