South Asia
Afghan parliament attack ends with the death of all seven militants
Kabul, June 22: A Taliban attack on the Afghanistan parliament on Monday ended after all seven militants were killed in a prolonged gun battle with security forces and an explosion, triggered by a suicide bomber.
Media reports quoted the government as saying that at least 19 people, including four women, were injured in the suicide attack after one of the militants detonated a car and blew himself up.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying their men had launched an attack on parliament as there was an important gathering to introduce the country\'s defence minister.
All hell broke loose when the explosion took place and a plume of black smoke filled the parliament.
At the same time militants took position in a nearby building and started firing.
Afghanistan witnessed a spurt in violence since the departure of most foreign forces at the end of 2014 as the insurgents push to take territory more than 13 years after the US-led military intervention that toppled the Taliban from power.
The Taliban launched a countrywide offensive in late April, stepping up attacks on government and foreign targets that left a number civilians dead.
