Death toll climbs to 61 after Taliban suicide bomb attack on Afghan police station
Islamic extremists claims responsibility for assault on Gardez law enforcement training centre
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Taliban suicide car bombers and gunmen attacked a provincial Afghan police headquarters on Tuesday, killing at least 61 people, including the police chief, and wounding 160, in the deadliest of a series of attacks across the country, officials and militants said.
The attack targeted a police training centre attached to the headquarters in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, and the death toll was expected to rise.
At least five attackers were also killed, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Three officials told Reuters that the provincial police chief was among the dead. Both civilians and security forces were among the casualties, deputy public health director Hedayatullah Hameedi said.
The Taliban, seeking to re-impose strict Islamic law after their 2001 ouster by US-led forces, claimed responsibility.
The militant group also attacked a district centre in neighbouring Ghazni province on Tuesday, an offensive that included detonating armoured Humvee vehicles packed with explosives near the provincial governor's office.
Provincial officials said at least 15 government security forces were killed and 12 wounded in the Ghazni attacks, with 13 civilians killed and seven wounded.
The Taliban said they had killed 31 security forces and wounded 21 in those clashes.
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments