Taliban claim attack on Afghan government post, killing 18

Kabul, April 12 (PTI/AP): The Taliban have claimed responsibility for a blistering attack on a government compound in Afghanistan’s central province of Ghazni that killed at least 15 members of the security forces. The insurgent group’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, told The Associated Press over the telephone that after the attack in the Khuja Omari district, not far from the provincial capital also called Ghazni, all security posts in the district were under Taliban control. Mujahid gave a higher casualty figure among the Afghan forces, which the Taliban often do, and a significantly lower death toll among the insurgent attackers. He also confirmed the government’s statement that the assault killed three top local officials the district’s governor, intelligence chief and deputy police chief. Lawmaker Mohammad Arif Rahmani said the attack early today morning in Khuja Omari district killed the district governor, intelligence service director and a deputy police official. Fifteen security forces were killed. Moseni said the Taliban fighters stormed the secure compound in Khuja Omari district and the security forces who were there were joined later by government reinforcements.