Taliban Attacks Security Forces in Kabul, At Least 15 Killed

Car Bomb Detonated at Police Headquarters, Followed by Gun Battle

Taliban forces claimed credit for high profile attacks against security forces in the Afghan capital city of Kabul today, with reports that at least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded. Afghan officials insisted 11 civilians were among the slain.

The first, larger attack saw a major car bombing outside of the police headquarters in the city, leading to a number of gunmen storming the building and barricading themselves in, fighting for several hours before the Afghan security forces declared the area clear.

A second bombing was reported near the Afghan spy agency’s headquarters, the National Security Directorate, and some small arms fire was exchanged in that area after the blast as well. This is the latest in a string of attacks around the Afghan capital in recent weeks.

The Taliban disputed the official account of the incidents, claiming to have killed dozens of security forces in the attacks, many more than the Afghan government would acknowledge. It is not uncommon for the two sides to dispute death tolls in such incidents.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.