Taliban attack Norgrove agency`s house in east Afghanistan

Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility and said it was a suicide attack.

Jalalabad: The Taliban mounted a grenade and gun attack on the house of slain British aid worker Linda Norgrove`s employers in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, a provincial official said.

Nangahar provincial spokesman Ahmad Zia Abdulzai said a man came to the house used by aid organisation - Development Alternatives Inc (DAI) - in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, and "threw a grenade and opened fire with small arms".

"He was shot by police. There were no casualties," said Abdulzai. Norgrove -- who was abducted by the Taliban and killed last month in a botched US military rescue attempt – worked for DAI, which is a contractor to the US aid agency USAID, and was based in Jalalabad herself.

Provincial health director, Baz Mohamad Sherzad, said one body had been brought to hospital, believed to be that of the attacker, but no wounded.

But a local security source said four guards were wounded in the attack, while Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahed claimed responsibility, and said it was a suicide attack that killed 16 people, including foreigners.

The Taliban routinely make up or exaggerate claims of casualties.

PTI

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