Provincial officials on Sunday said that four employees of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) of Maidan Wardak province were killed and 120 civilians injured during a clash between Afghan security forces and six Taliban insurgents who attacked a local NDS office. The clash ended after 30 minutes once all six assailants were dead.
The Taliban was quick to release a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. Despite figures reported by eye-witnesses and provincial officials indicating otherwise, the Taliban statement said the bulk of harm caused by the attack was inflicted on security personnel.
The incident occurred when a group of six insurgents equipped with weapons and explosives attacked the NDS building in Maidan Shahr city, capital of the Maidan Wardak province, at around midday. The assailants attempted to force their way into the building unsuccessfully.
"A group of attackers tried to get into the NDS building at noon, but faced resistance from security forces and a clash occurred. As a result the attackers were all killed and many civilians were injured," said Mohammad Sardar Zazai, the Wardak Police Chief.
The first attacker was said to have detonated his explosives while still in a car near the front gate of the building, killing himself and blasting a whole in the gate. Five of his fellow attacks entered the compound and began firing indiscriminately at security forces. Afghan forces stationed at the building and those who arrived on the scene subsequent to the beginning of the attack were able to kill the remaining five assailants after a gun battle that lasted for 30 minutes.
Most of the injured are reportedly in critical condition receiving emergency care at nearby hospitals that have been overwhelmed since the attack. Several governmental and non-governmental buildings, including private residences, suffered major structural damage.