Taliban to talk with operator of clinics

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban said Thursday that they would hold talks with representatives of a Swedish nonprofit group after threats by the insurgents forced the organization to close 42 clinics it runs in eastern Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Taliban fighters in southern Kandahar province attacked police headquarters, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens more, officials said.

The closures of the facilities run by the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan in Taliban-controlled areas of Maidan Wardak province are expected to affect almost 6,000 people. The clinics in government-controlled parts of the province remain open.

The closures came after Afghan forces last week raided a clinic run by the nongovernmental organization in pursuit of the Taliban. Two staff members died in the raid.

The talks are meant “to resolve the situation” in Maidan Wardak province, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Also Thursday, in southern Kandahar province, a suicide attacker detonated his explosives-laden vehicle outside provincial police headquarters, said provincial council member Mohammad Yousuf Yunosi. Several other attackers opened fire with small firearms at security guards.

Jamal Naser Barikzai, spokesman for the chief of police, said at least 10 people were killed and at least 80 wounded in the attack. He said two police were among the dead, and four insurgents were killed.

Qari Yousf Ahmadi, spokesman for the Taliban, later claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.