Afghan forces repel assault on ministry compound

KABUL, Afghanistan — Islamic State militants, including two suicide bombers, launched a surprise attack on the Interior Ministry in Kabul on Wednesday, but Afghan forces managed to repel the assault, leaving all the attackers dead.

It was a rare victory for Afghan security forces, who have struggled to secure the capital amid relentless attacks by the Taliban and IS.

According to the ministry spokesman, Najib Danish, one policeman was killed and five were wounded in the assault.

The attack began when a group of 10 militants tried to storm the ministry compound in Kabul, Danish said.

Two of the attackers detonated their explosives, allowing eight others to pass through an outer gate at the ministry where they traded fire with security forces before they were killed.

Danish said the “attackers were dressed in military uniforms” — apparently seeking to confuse Afghan security forces guarding the ministry.

Hours after the attack, IS claimed responsibility for the assault.

It wasn’t immediately clear how the militants managed to penetrate so close to such a high-security location. Last year, the Interior Ministry moved into a new building, surrounded by numerous security barriers and close to the Kabul international airport and several military compounds.