Gunmen Attack “Save The Children” Office In Afghanistan

Save the Children’s office in Afghanistan was attacked by gunmen at Afghanistan’s restive east on Wednesday, witnesses and officials said, in an ongoing attack that has wounded at least 11 people.

After blowing up a car outside the British charity’s compound in Jalalabad city, the attackers used a rocket-propelled grenade to storm the complex, in the latest attack on a foreign aid group in the war-torn country.

Nangarhar governor spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP the raid started at 9:10 am (0440 GMT) — shortly after staff would have arrived at the office.

“A group of armed men then entered the compound. So far 11 wounded people have been brought to hospitals,” Khogyani said.

Mohammad Amin, who was inside the compound when the attackers launched the raid, told AFP from his hospital bed that he heard “a big blast”.

“We ran for cover and I saw a gunman hitting the main gate with an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) to enter the compound. I jumped out of the window,” Amin said.

Afghan TV news channels showed a thick plume of black smoke rising above the compound and what appears to be at least one vehicle on fire outside the office.

Another witness told AFP: “It might be a complex attack. I am hearing gunfire from inside Save the Children compound.”

Wednesday’s assault comes days after Taliban gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in the Afghan capital, killing at least 22 people, mostly foreigners.