KABUL
Afghan authorities said an overnight Taliban raid on police headquarters in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province was repelled early Monday morning.
Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said six suicide bombers attacked the police compound on Sunday night and “at least five attackers were killed and one was arrested.”
He added that the attack was repelled successfully but at least nine policemen were wounded.
According to the provincial governor's spokesman Zia Abdulzai, one of the three assailants detonated an explosive-laden vehicle at the gate of the police base, paving the way for rest to enter the compound.
"The attack which began at 11 pm on Sunday and lasted till 4 am today was defeated successfully by police forces," Abdulzai told the Anadolu Agency.
The Taliban's self-proclaimed spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid took responsibility for attack.
"Suicide bombers targeted a military meeting between police and foreign militaries," Mujahid said.
Civilian homes surrounding the compound were destroyed by explosions and exchange of fire between the security forces and Taliban gunmen.
Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan, has seen fierce violence in recent months with a spike of activity from the Taliban and fighters who claim loyalty to the Iraq and Syria-based Daesh.
Taliban militants have intensified their attacks in city centers and on Afghan security forces’ outposts as part of their spring offensive which began in April.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense said the recent levels of violence are a Taliban attempt to gain greater leverage for peace talks with the Afghan government expected to resume this summer.
