Afghan forces thwart attempted Taliban assault in Ghazni

AFP

GHAZNI -- Afghan security forces destroyed a Humvee stolen by the Taliban and packed with explosives, foiling what could have been an even worse attack, officials said Wednesday (May 22).

The armoured vehicle was being chased by security forces as it raced for the gates of Ghazni city, Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

"After it failed to stop at the signal of security forces, they opened fire, first hitting its tires, then hitting it with a rocket," he said.

The Taliban claimed Wednesday's attempted attack in a WhatsApp message.

As many as four militants inside the Humvee were killed, said the Interior Ministry.

Two civilians and two members of the Afghan security forces were also killed in the explosion, said local officials.

"Ten civilians and five security forces were injured," Ahmad Khan Sirat, a spokesman for provincial police in Ghazni, told AFP.

Several previous deadly attacks in Afghanistan have begun with militants blowing up a Humvee or another vehicle outside a target to decimate security forces protecting it, before gunmen rush to assault those inside.

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