Taliban launches attack on security establishment in Central Afghanistan, reports claim over 100 killed

Attackers rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the entrance of a compound in Maidan Shahr - the capital of Wardak province that lies about 50 kilometers south of the capital Kabul. It was followed by at least three gunmen who battered the compound with gunshots.

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Kabul: Taliban launched a deadly attack in central Afghanistan on Monday which killed scores of security personnel, with some estimates putting the death toll at more than 100, reports said. The attackers targeted a military compound in the region. They rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the entrance of a compound in Maidan Shahr - the capital of Wardak province that lies about 50 kilometers south of the capital Kabul. It was followed by at least three gunmen who battered the compound with gunshots. This led to an exchange of fire between security forces and the gunmen. They were then shot down. A report in Reuters said that 126 people have been killed in the explosion inside the military training centre. Local officials also said that scores of troops and NDS personnel were killed in the attack but there was no official confirmation of the casualty toll, with officials ordered not to talk to media for fear of damaging morale, the report said. However as per news agency AFP, the officials have put the toll as 12 dead, and 20 wounded.  It quoted Akhtar Mohammad Taheri - the head of Wardak provincial council as saying: “The Taliban used a Humvee vehicle to hit the compound." The damage has also reportedly damaged the military base partially. The Taliban later claimed the responsibility for the assault, Just a day before, a suicide bomber from Taliban targeted the convoy of Logar province’s governor, killing at least 7 security guards. Afghanistan is torn by the 17-year-old battle between security forces and Taliban fighters. The rcent attacks have come at a time when Washington is taking steps for peace deal which could pave way for Taliban taking part in governance.