Six dead in attack on Save the Children charity in Afghanistan
Terror attacks against non-Muslims have increased in step with the Taliban's grip on power. Photo: Getty
At least six people were killed and 20 others injured when four gunmen stormed the offices of the Save the Children aid agency in the Afghan city of Jalalabad, local officials have reported.
Wednesday’s attack began with a suicide car bomb outside the office, followed by gunmen entering the compound and battling Afghan special forces, a spokesman for the government in the eastern province said.
Local government spokesman, Attaullah Khogyanai, said two security guards, one civilian and three attackers were killed with six police officers among those wounded.
Save the Children has condemned the attack, saying the charity’s “primary concern is for the safety and security of our staff. We are awaiting further information from our team, and cannot comment further at this time.”
The Islamic State group claimed the attack later on Wednesday, saying it was carried out by four suicide bombers.
People flee the scene near the charity headquarters. Photo: AAP
In a message sent by the Amaq news agency, which is affiliated to the group, IS said the “martyrdom operation” was aimed at two foreign institutions, one British and the other Swiss, and a government organisation.
Armed insurgents and criminal organisations often target NGOs in Afghanistan, where the security situation has deteriorated considerably over the past decade.
In October last year, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced it would be “drastically” reducing “its presence and activities” in the country after seven staff members were killed and several of its buildings were attacked.
Nangarhar, a province which borders Pakistan, is one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan, where the Taliban and IS are known to operate.
Zabihullah Zemarai, a member of the provincial council in Nangarhar, said police forces managed to rescue more than 40 people, mostly Save the Children employees as the attack unfolded.
Monica Zanarelli, the International Committee of the Red Cross’ head of delegation in Afghanistan, said that an attack against an organisation that helps children is “outrageous.”
“Civilians and aid workers must not be targeted,” she said in a statement.
“Increased violence has made operating in Afghanistan difficult for many organisations.”