Afghanistan blast leaves 40 dead

A TALIBAN suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden car at a police headquarters in northern Afghanistan followed by clashes between gunmen and security forces, officials and the Taliban said yesterday.

At least seven people were killed and 55 people had been injured, said Mohibullah Habib, the provincial health director in the city of Pul-eKhumri.

A member of the Baghlan provincial council said clashes were ongoing and that it had sought immediate deployment from neighbouring provinces.

“Clashes have not stopped,” said Assadullah Shahbaz.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

“Several other Taliban fighters are presently clashing with the Afghan forces,” said Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said.

Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesperson at the Interior Ministry in Kabul, said several Taliban fighters had penetrated the headquarters.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks on security installations, even as they hold direct talks with US officials to end the war in Afghanistan.

The Taliban hold sway over more territory than at any point since being ousted at the hands of US-led troops following the September11, 2001, attacks on the US.

Earlier this week the group rejected appeals made by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, to declare a ceasefire.

Afghan-born US diplomat Khalilzad, who is leading the sixth round of talks with the Taliban in Doha to pursue a deal that would see the withdrawal of foreign forces in return for Taliban security guarantees, on Saturday said that America stood ready for “all sides” to lay down arms in the 17-year conflict.

“All sides agreeing to reduce violence is a necessary step toward achieving that outcome,” Khalilzad tweeted.

Khalilzad’s comments came a day after Ghani said he was prepared to call an “immediate” and “permanent” ceasefire.

The Taliban said they would not lay down their arms before the holy month of Ramadaan.

“A ceasefire will only get discussed once a deal about foreign force withdrawal gets finalised,” said Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesperson.