| | 1 killed, 16 injured in suicide squad attack Pajhwok
01/21/2013
By Muhammad Hassan Khitab
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KABUL - One policeman was killed and 16 people were injured as a group of suicide bombers stormed the Kabul traffic police headquarters on Monday morning, where a clash still ongoing, an official said.
The militants sneaked into the compound in the Deh Mazang locality of the capital at 6am, entering a gunbattle with security personnel, the deputy police chief, Mohammad Daud Amin, told Pajhwok Afghan News.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one policeman was killed and 16 others, including civilians and security personnel, were injured during explosions and the gunbattle.
He said two of the five suicide bombers, who had entered the compound, were killed while the rest were still trading fire with security forces.
Meanwhile, the Kabul police headquarters said the incident took place when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in front of the entrance to traffic police building.
Later, two or three other attackers armed with heavy and light weapons forced their way into the compound. Security forces immediately cordoned off the area.
Although there is no clear information yet about the casualties, initial reports show 10 people were injured in the clash that is still ongoing, according to a police statement, which said the situation had been brought under control.
A Pajhwok reporter at the scene said part of the traffic police building caught fire as a result of the blast and fire exchange.
Afghan Special Forces were busy fighting against the attackers, with Afghan National Army (ANA) helicopters seen in the air. He also saw ambulances evacuating the injured.
As usual, The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. The group's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said a group of fighters armed with suicide vests, heavy and light weapons entered the building, targeting the police headquarters and other installations.
The clash was still ongoing, he said, claiming heavy casualties had been inflicted on Afghan police and some foreign trainers, but exact figures were yet to be known.
Witness Rahmatullah said five heavy explosions and gunfire had been heard so far.
A resident of the area, Mohammad Erfan, said he heard gunshots and a loud explosion for 30 minutes. The area was cordoned off, with Quick Reaction Force and Afghan Special Forces fighting the attackers.
Kabul Crime Branch chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Zahir said a traffic policeman was among six people injured in the clash. The wounded were taken to hospitals. The building is located near the border police headquarters.
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