5 dead as rebels storm Batikot bazaar

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Two civilians a policeman and two attackers were killed and 14 others, incuding chidren, wounded when militants launched a coordinated attack on the Batikot district headquarters in eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Wednesday.

District chief Haji Ghalib told Pajhwok Afghan News that the incident took place when a group of gunmen attacked policemen and civilians in Hafiz Kodi bazaar of the district around 9am this morning.

He said that the gunmen were came along an explosives-laden corolla who killed one policeman and two civilians during a clash. Two attackers were also killed when more policemen arrived to the incident area and exchanged fires with gunmen, he added.

Seven civilians also wounded in the violence, Ghalib said.

An eyewitness Ziaur Rahman also said that a group of insurgents entered the district bazaar and opened indiscriminate fire.

Another eyewitness Mustamir said the rebels in a corolla car entered the district centre and fled after killing a policeman.

He added the gunmen left behind their explosives-laden car which was later detonated by the police. Three civilians were also killed and 14 others, including children, were wounded in the gunfire, Mustami said.

The area was cordoned-off by security forces and the wounded were evacuated to hospitals for treatment.

A doctor in a local clinic, whishing not to be named, confirmed receiving 12 wounded persons from the scene. The critically injured had been shifted to a hospital in the Ghani Khail district, he said.

Taliban have not yet commented on the attack.

mds/rm