Taliban claims rocket attack on Afghan parliament
Militant group challenges government narrative, saying 'scores' of security personnel were killed in attack on military base
Afghan security forces stand guard in front of Parliament building in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 28, 2016. Taliban militants fired rockets into Afghanistan's parliament compound on Monday as the top intelligence official and caretaker minister of interior were due to speak. (Haroon sabawoon - Anadolu Agency)
By Zabihullah Tamanna
KABUL
Afghanistan’s parliament in capital Kabul on Monday was struck by a rocket in an attack for which the Taliban have since claimed responsibility.
The incident occurred as security officials, including the interior minister, were attending a parliamentary briefing to answer MPs’ questions regarding the country’s current security situation.
According to Col. Abdul Ghafar Ghorzan, the police have launched an investigation into the incident, details of which, he said, would be shared with the media.
A first rocket struck the parliament building, causing some damage, after which two more rockets landed near the Wolesi Jirga facility in the nearby Dar-ul-Aman Palace, officials said.
Interior Ministry Spokesman Sidique Sidiqui, for his part, confirmed the incident, saying that no causalities had been reported.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Taliban fighters had carried out the rocket attack.
Mujahid also challenged the government’s version of events, saying that "scores" of security officials had been killed in an attack on a military base near Dar-ul-Aman.
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