Afghan parliament attack ends, seven militants killed: official

Pakistan condemns the attack, says it stands with Afghanistan in the common struggle against terrorism

KABUL: A Taliban attack on the Afghan parliament Monday ended after all seven militants were killed, the government said.

"The attack has ended now. Seven attackers were involved -- one detonated a car near the parliament building and six were killed by security forces after they entered a nearby building," deputy interior ministry spokesperson Najib Danish told AFP.

Taliban militants attacked the Afghan parliament on Monday, with gunfire and a huge explosion rocking the building, sending lawmakers running for cover in chaotic scenes relayed live on television.

The militants swiftly claimed responsibility for the attack which came as the Afghan president's nominee for the crucial post of defence minister was to be introduced in parliament.

A major assault on such a high-profile target in downtown Kabul raises fresh questions about security as Afghan forces battle a resurgent Taliban without the aid of NATO forces, who ended their combat mission in December.

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"Several mujahideen have entered the parliament building, heavy fighting is on-going," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid posted on Twitter.

PHOTO: AFP

"The attack happened at a time when the defence minister was being introduced."

Police denied that Taliban fighters had breached the high-security parliament building and there were no immediate reports on casualties. A thick plume of smoke was seen rising from the building.

"It is a group attack by the Taliban on the parliament," Kabul police spokesperson Ebadullah Karimi told AFP.

"They are not inside the parliament building, but they are somewhere outside the building."

The insurgents launched a countrywide offensive in late April, stepping up attacks on government and foreign targets in what is expected to be the bloodiest fighting season in a decade.

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The militants recently rebuffed requests from senior Afghan clerics to halt attacks during the fasting month of Ramadan even as a surge in violence has sent civilian casualties soaring.

The surge in insurgents' attacks has taken a heavy toll on ordinary Afghans, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan.

Almost 1,000 civilians were killed during the first four months of this year, a sharp jump from the same period last year, it said.

Afghan authorities have repeatedly tried to jumpstart talks with the Taliban in the hope of ending the 13-year conflict, but the militants have set tough conditions, including the withdrawal of all foreign troops in Afghanistan.

NATO's combat mission formally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force of about 12,500 mainly US troops has stayed on to train and support local security personnel.

President Ashraf Ghani's government has drawn criticism for failing to end growing insurgent attacks, which critics partly blame on political infighting and a lengthy delay in appointing a defence minister.

Ghani last month nominated Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, a top official in the government body overseeing the country's peace process, for the job.

The post had been left vacant for months due to disagreements between Ghani and his chief executive and former presidential election rival, Abdullah Abdullah, but Stanekzai is expected to be confirmed by Afghanistan's parliament soon.

Pakistan Condemns Attack on Afghan Parliament

Following the attack on Afghan parliament the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said "The Government of Pakistan strongly condemns the attack on the building of Wolesi Jirga in Kabul. "

"We commend the role of Afghan security forces in effectively countering this act of terrorism," it added.

Further reiterating its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"We reaffirm our resolve to fight terrorism in close coordination with the Government of Afghanistan. We stand with our Afghan brothers in our common struggle against terrorism."

Ban Ki-moon condemns attack

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the assault on Afghan Parliament in Kabul, calling it “as yet another unacceptable attack on civilians in Afghanistan.”

“The attacks demonstrate a callous disregard for the lives of all Afghans, including women and children, who had already been forced to flee their homes. They undermine efforts aimed at building a stronger, more prosperous Afghanistan,” said a statement attributable to Moon’s spokesperson.

The Secretary-General extended his condolences to the families of those killed and injured, and reiterated his unwavering support to the people of Afghanistan.

Nato condemns Parliament attack

In a statement, Nato’s Resolute Support mission also condemned the attack on the Afghan Parliament.

“Once again, the Taliban has chosen to target innocent civilians,” said Brigadier General Wilson Shoffner, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. “We commend the Afghan Security Forces for their swift response that suppressed attackers and prevented further injury.”

Resolute Support remains committed to assisting our Afghan partners in achieving sustainable security and stability.

The US Embassy in Kabul also strongly condemned the attack.

“The attack on Parliament shows blatant disrespect for democracy and the rule of law.”