The U.S. State Department’s envoy for the Afghan peace Zalmay Khalilzad condemned the attack on a spy agency’s office in the northern Samnagan province.
In a Twitter thread on Tuesday, Amb. Khalilzad said the Taliban’s attack on the spy compound in north of Afghanistan “contradicts their commitment to reduce violence.”
According to him:
And violence has been high, especially in recent days & weeks. Afghans continue to die in large numbers for no reason. The Taliban’s attack today in a provincial capital contradicts their commitment to reduce violence until a permanent ceasefire is reached in intra-Afghan talks.
A blast went off on Monday near the headquarters of Samangan’s spy agency in the provincial capital, Sediq Azizi, a spokesman for provincial governor confirmed to TKG.
The explosion was followed by gunshots, according to the spokesperson.
There was no initial report of casualties but later Abdul Latif Ibrahimi told TKG that at least 11 people were killed and another 63 injured.
The armed Taliban claimed the attack.
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