Aid agency office under attack in Afghanistan

At least 11 people have been wounded in an ongoing attack on the office of international aid agency Save the Children in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad.

Gunmen attacked the office on Wednesday and, after clashing with security forces, managed to enter the organization’s compound, a provincial government spokesman said.

A blast reportedly occurred. Details are sketchy in the still ongoing attack.

“There was a blast and the target was Save the Children,” said the provincial spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani. “A group of armed men then entered the compound. So far 11 wounded people have been brought to hospitals.”

The aid organization carries out education, healthcare, and protection work for children in the war-ravaged country.

There were reportedly a number of children at a nearby school at the time of the attack, who ran away from the area as gunfire erupted.

No group has yet claimed responsibility. But Jalabad, the capital of Nangahar Province, which borders Pakistan, is often targeted by Taliban militants.

Just days ago, the Taliban attacked the Hotel Intercontinental in the capital, Kabul, killing at least 22 people.

The Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh is also present in Afghanistan.