(Scroll Down For Video) — Islamic extremists launched a complex gun and suicide bomb attack on the Afghan parliament building this morning as lawmakers met to confirm the appointment of a new defense minister.
At least 18 people, including two women and two children, were wounded when a suicide bomber detonated his device inside a car parked at the gates of the building in the capital Kabul.
Six gunmen then attempted to storm the compound but were pushed back by security forces and eventually took refuge in a nearby building site, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said, adding that all the MPs inside parliament are now safe.
Following a two-hour fire fight, it was confirmed that all seven terrorists – including the suicide bomber – died at the scene.
The Taliban released a statement claiming responsibility within minutes of the attack, adding that the meeting to announce Masoom Stanekzai as defence minister had been deliberately targeted.
