Afghanistan Parliament Attack: As it happened

Taliban militants attacked the Afghan Parliament on Monday morning, with gunfire and explosions rocking the building, sending lawmakers running for cover in chaotic scenes relayed live on television. 

Afghanistan Parliament Attack: As it happened
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Taliban militants attacked the Afghan Parliament on Monday morning, with gunfire and explosions rocking the building, sending lawmakers running for cover in chaotic scenes relayed live on television. Here are the LIVE updates:

  • It further says, "People of India will always stand by the brave people of Afghanistan in their fight against violence and extremism # President Mukherjee."
  • "It was a relief that all Members of Afghan Parliament who had been present in the building are safe #PresidentMukherjee," it writes.
  • The official twitter account of the Rashtrapati Bhavan shares the President's thoughts.
  • Indian President Pranab Mukherjee expresses deep concern over terrorist attack on the Parliament of Afghanistan.

Also Read: India will stand with Afghanistan in fight against extremism, says President Pranab Mukherjee

  • Earlier in the day, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, while condemning the attack, said the targeting of civilians during the month of Ramadan is "un-Islamic" and those responsible are simply criminals. 
  • Tolo News further quotes Afghan 'Hero' as saying that he will defend his country to the end.
  • Tolo News terms Sgt Eisa Khan, who brought down six insurgents today, as 'Hero'.
  • Attack on Afghan Parliament is very condemnable, in this time of trial India will stand by Afghanistan, says Rajnath Singh.
  • Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh denounces the terror attack.

Also Read: India stands with Afghanistan at this time of trial, says Rajnath Singh

  • As lawmakers met to consider a new defence minister after a Taliban suicide bomber and six gunmen attacked the Afghan Parliament, another district in the volatile north fell to the militants as they intensified a summer offensive, news agency AFP says.  
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns the attack on Afghan Parliament, terms it as a "despicable and cowardly act". He further asserts that India stands shoulder to shoulder with people of that country in this hour.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi condemns attack on Afghan Parliament

  • The attack on the Afghan Parliament is said to have claimed the lives of five civilians, including a child, Tolo News reported citing security officials outside the Parliament.

 

 

  • Pakistan has also condemned the attack on  the Wolesi jirga, and commended the role of security forces.
  • The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has condemned the Taliban attack, calling it as an "affront to the democracy".

 

 

  • Congress president Sonia Gandhi has denounced the terror attack on Afghan Parliament, calling it a "heinous attempt by fundamentalists to subvert democratic forces".

  • In light of the attack, intelligence agencies have issued a high alert and Indian mission in Kabul and other consulates have beefed up security.

  • The attack on Afghan Parliament injured 31 civilians, Tolo News cited Health Ministry officials.
  • Talking to the BBC, MP Naqibullah Faiq said that they had been warned and received threats "since six months ago, that Taliban is preparing attack on Parliament".
  • The Parliament siege by Taliban has ended and seven attackers have been killed, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi confirms.

 

  • Latest update claims that all gunmen have been killed and security forces are conducting clearing operations around the Parliament. However, there is no clarity yet on the number of attackers.

  • Meanwhile, another explosion has been heard in Parliament area one hour after the attack, say local reports, contradicting an earlier report that quoted Kabul police chief as confirming that the security forces had been eliminated. The attackers are still said to be holed up in a building close to the Parliament.

 

 

  • Kabul chief of police Abdurrahman Rahimi has said that all six Talibani gunmen have been killed by security forces, reported Pajhwok Afghan news. He added that the first explosion was a car suicide bombing after which Talibani gunmen entered a nearby building. 

  • According to MP Harif Rahmani, who was inside Wolesi Jirga at time of explosions, MPs were evacuated without any serious injuries. He also told Tolo news that Parliament was warned about the attack a few days ago.

  • According to a local news report, 21 civilians have been injured in Parliament attack, including 5 women and 3 children, Tolo news cited health officials.

  • Afghan news channel Tolo News has tweeted a video of how the MPs evacuated the Parliament.

 

  • Describing the scene of attack, one of the lawmakers Fawzia Koofi told the Guardian's Sune Engel Rasmussen  how the "Parliament ceiling fell down, including the lights and everything. Then shooting started from here and there”. She added that that there was a “huge lack of coordination” on part of the security forces and that the MPs had to evacuate on their own.

  • Taliban confirmed that the attack was staged to coincide with a vote that was to take place to endorse the new Defesne Minister Massoom Stanekzai.
  • Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of Afghan Taliban, confirmed the attack on Twitter and posted some photos (posted by MP Naqibullah Faiq on his Facebook page) which appeared to be the inside pictures from the Parliament during the attack.

 

  • The attack on the Parliament comes on a day when the Taliban claimed to have captured the strategic Northern province of Kunduz, after intense fighting with Afghani security forces. The Taliban confirmed that they had captured the district, as well as ammunition and four tanks, in an emailed statement.
  • According to reports, an intense gun battle is on between the Taliban militants and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).
  • Six people have been reportedly killed in the attack, unconfirmed reports say.
  • According to the latest report, Afghan Taliban has claimed the responsibility for the suicide attack. The Taliban carried out the attack using four large bombs.
  • The attack happened as new Defence Minister Massoom Stanekzai was being introduced to MPs, the BBC says.
  • Television was broadcasting live from the Parliament at the time of attack and visuals showed the MPs leaving the building.
  • Pajhwok news tweeted a picture of the MPs leaving the Parliament building.
  • According to reports, the Parliament was in session and the Speaker was at the podium when the cameras started to shake and explosions were heard, says Al Jazeera's Jennifer Glasse.
  • Security forces have arrived atthe scene and cordoned off the area.
  • Ministry of Interior spokesman Sediq Sediqqi confirmed the explosions and said that security forces have been rushed to the Parliament.

"Kabul police forces are now in the area and taken control of the situation. The explosion took place outside the Parliament," Sediqqui said.

  • "It was a huge blast that shook the building and shattered windows. We are right now in a safe place," Reuters quoted lawmaker Shukria Barekzai as saying.
  • So far, six explosions heard. There was no immediate report on the casualties, however the Parliament building is being evacuated, reports the BBC.
  • The attack was carried out at the building of Wolesi Jirga or lower house of parliament on Darul Aman road by a group of suicide bombers, the Pajhwok news cited eyewitnesses as saying.

  • Explosions, gunfire heard outside the Parliament.

A series of explosions rocked the Afghan Parliament complex on Monday morning, triggering a fierce gun battle. 

Militant attacks have increased in frequency within last two months as the Taliban launched the "spring offensive" in April, carrying out attacks on almost daily basis. Ever since, NATO-led foreign troops have left the country, Afghan forces have been struggling to tackle the terror threats posed by the Taliban.

 

 

 

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