18 wounded in Taliban attack Afghan parliament with bomb, gunfire

A Taliban suicide bomber and several gunmen attacked the Afghan parliament on Monday, shattering windows and forcing lawmakers to flee, as a second district in two days fell to the Islamist group in the north. Health Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kahousi said 18 civilians were wounded, including two women and two children. Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said the attack began with a car bomb explosion near the entrance. Gunmen then attempted to storm the compound but were pushed back by security forces and eventually took refuge in a nearby building under construction, he said, adding that police surrounded the structure.

A suicide bomber blew himself up just outside the parliament building and several fighters took positions in a building close to parliament.

Ebadullah Karimi, spokesman for Kabul police.

Afghan security officials said all lawmakers were safe. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has claimed responsibility for the attack. They say they carried out the attack to coincide with a vote to endorse a new defence minister. The incident happened as new Defence Minister Massoom Stanekzai was being introduced to MPs, who need to endorse him. Afghan soldiers were preparing a counterattack to retake both districts, another local official said. The withdrawal of foreign forces and a reduction in U.S. air strikes have allowed Taliban fighters to launch several major attacks in important Afghan provinces.

It was a huge blast that shook the building and shattered windows. We are in a safe place right now.

Lawmaker Shukria Barekzai said of the explosion.

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