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| Insurgents Seize Afghan Government Offices in Deadly Attack | Insurgents Seize Afghan Government Offices in Deadly Attack |
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| KABUL, Afghanistan — A group of eight Taliban insurgents dressed in Afghan Army uniforms staged a complex assault on a provincial government compound in Western Afghanistan on Wednesday morning, killing at least six officials and civilians and seizing several hostages in one of the buildings, officials and witnesses said. | |
| The attack in Farah Province coincided with the anticipated return of Afghanistan’s powerful intelligence chief, Asadullah Khalid, who was seriously wounded in a December suicide attack. Mr. Khaled, who was treated in the United States and required multiple surgeries, returned to Kabul Wednesday morning. | The attack in Farah Province coincided with the anticipated return of Afghanistan’s powerful intelligence chief, Asadullah Khalid, who was seriously wounded in a December suicide attack. Mr. Khaled, who was treated in the United States and required multiple surgeries, returned to Kabul Wednesday morning. |
| Officials said that the violence in Farah began after insurgents detonated a Ford Ranger laden with explosives near the entrance of the government compound. Government officials said the Taliban seized the second floor of the provincial court building, which is near the offices of the mayor, prosecutor and the governor, among other officials. | Officials said that the violence in Farah began after insurgents detonated a Ford Ranger laden with explosives near the entrance of the government compound. Government officials said the Taliban seized the second floor of the provincial court building, which is near the offices of the mayor, prosecutor and the governor, among other officials. |
| In addition to the at least six people killed in the attack, roughly 75 others were wounded, including women and children, according to hospital officials. Shah Mohammad Noor, head of the regional Court for western Afghanistan, said four of the attackers had been killed so far. | In addition to the at least six people killed in the attack, roughly 75 others were wounded, including women and children, according to hospital officials. Shah Mohammad Noor, head of the regional Court for western Afghanistan, said four of the attackers had been killed so far. |
| “The firefight is still ongoing,” said Mohammad Akram Khpalwak, the governor of Farah province. “The terrorists are still resisting.” | |
| The insurgents are thought to be holding several government officials and civilians hostage in the provincial courthouse, witnesses said. Gunshots and explosions continued to ring out through Wednesday afternoon, leaving the compound badly damaged, said Jalil Khan, an employee in the provincial income tax department who witnessed the turmoil. | The insurgents are thought to be holding several government officials and civilians hostage in the provincial courthouse, witnesses said. Gunshots and explosions continued to ring out through Wednesday afternoon, leaving the compound badly damaged, said Jalil Khan, an employee in the provincial income tax department who witnessed the turmoil. |
| “Everywhere you see people are wounded and bleeding,” he said when reached by phone from the scene. “God knows how many people are killed and wounded in this brutal attack.” | “Everywhere you see people are wounded and bleeding,” he said when reached by phone from the scene. “God knows how many people are killed and wounded in this brutal attack.” |
| Violence in Farah has been sharply rising in recent months, as the Taliban in the region battle for control of the restive province, which borders Iran to the west. Last May, four insurgents dressed as police officers staged an attack on the governor’s compound, killing at least 11 people and wounding others. | Violence in Farah has been sharply rising in recent months, as the Taliban in the region battle for control of the restive province, which borders Iran to the west. Last May, four insurgents dressed as police officers staged an attack on the governor’s compound, killing at least 11 people and wounding others. |
| Separately, the Taliban claimed responsibility for a roadside bomb that killed four local policemen, including a commander, in the Jani Khail district of Paktika Province Tuesday evening, officials said. | Separately, the Taliban claimed responsibility for a roadside bomb that killed four local policemen, including a commander, in the Jani Khail district of Paktika Province Tuesday evening, officials said. |
| Taliban attacks are expected to increase with the onset of warm weather in Afghanistan, a period referred to as the fighting season. | Taliban attacks are expected to increase with the onset of warm weather in Afghanistan, a period referred to as the fighting season. |
| Mr. Khalid’s return, heralded by “Welcome” banners strung from traffic posts across the city of Kabul, is seen by many as a symbolic victory for the Afghan government. At the time of the attack last December, when an insurgent detonated a bomb hidden near his crotch at a National Directorate of Security guesthouse, Mr. Khalid’s well-being — and eventual return — was in question. | Mr. Khalid’s return, heralded by “Welcome” banners strung from traffic posts across the city of Kabul, is seen by many as a symbolic victory for the Afghan government. At the time of the attack last December, when an insurgent detonated a bomb hidden near his crotch at a National Directorate of Security guesthouse, Mr. Khalid’s well-being — and eventual return — was in question. |
| But for months, the government has promised he would retake the helm of the intelligence agency. On Wednesday, the agancy, known as the NDS, issued a statement celebrating his return and promising to “continue its services day and night to bring security, peace and stability to the country.” | But for months, the government has promised he would retake the helm of the intelligence agency. On Wednesday, the agancy, known as the NDS, issued a statement celebrating his return and promising to “continue its services day and night to bring security, peace and stability to the country.” |
| A former governor of Kandahar and Ghazni Provinces and close associate of President Hamid Karzai, Mr. Khalid has presided over a fierce crackdown on the Taliban during his tenure as chief of the National Directorate of Security. He is also seen as a relentless detractor of Pakistan. | A former governor of Kandahar and Ghazni Provinces and close associate of President Hamid Karzai, Mr. Khalid has presided over a fierce crackdown on the Taliban during his tenure as chief of the National Directorate of Security. He is also seen as a relentless detractor of Pakistan. |
| His efforts have won him both praise and criticism from Western officials. | His efforts have won him both praise and criticism from Western officials. |
| While he received visits from President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta while hospitalized in America, the intelligence chief has been dogged by allegations of corruption and that he oversaw a torture prison while governor of Kandahar. | While he received visits from President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta while hospitalized in America, the intelligence chief has been dogged by allegations of corruption and that he oversaw a torture prison while governor of Kandahar. |
| Those nagging concerns have followed him to the NDS, which has been accused by the United Nations of prisoner abuse in its prison facilities. Mr. Khalid and the NDS have staunchly denied the allegations of torture and corruption. | Those nagging concerns have followed him to the NDS, which has been accused by the United Nations of prisoner abuse in its prison facilities. Mr. Khalid and the NDS have staunchly denied the allegations of torture and corruption. |