Suicide attack kills 11 security personnel in N. Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, July 13 (KUNA) -- A suicide car bomb explosion and ensuing gun battle in front of Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) compound in Afghanistan's northern Samangan province on Monday killed at least 11 security personnel and wounded over 60 others.
The spokesperson for the provincial governor, Mohammad Sediq Azizi in a statement to the media confirmed that four attackers were involved in the attack that was claimed by the Taliban rebels shortly after the initial blast.
The attack occurred in front of the NDS compound in Aybak city of Samangan that ended with all four attackers and 11 people killed. "It's a complex attack that started with a car bomb," said Azizi.
Governor of Samangan, Abdul Latif Ibrahimi told the media that the ensuing hours-long gun battle ended with the death of all four attackers.
He said all 11 security personnel killed in the clashes were members of the NDS.
He confirmed that 63 people, mostly civilians, were also wounded in the attack.
Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the bombing and the subsequent attack. The security forces cordoned off the area and the injured were shifted to the nearest medical facilities.
The condition of few wounded people was reported critical and the death toll is feared to rise.
Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani in a statement condemned the attack and called on the Taliban to stop fighting and "killing Afghans," warning that escalating violence and war would damage progress in the peace process.
Earlier last month, at least 23 civilians were killed in rockets attack on a festival and six civilians were killed in a roadside blast separately in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province.
The attacks came at a time when the United States has paced up its efforts to initiate intra-Afghan talks in wake of the peace deal signed between the US and Taliban in Doha, Qatar.
The peace deal focused on US troops withdrawal and reduction in violence in Afghanistan that led to the recent prisoners' exchange between Taliban and Afghan government. (end) sbk.mb