Taliban attack on Afghan court kills police chief, 7 others

(Reuters) - Militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons stormed a court in Afghanistan's northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Thursday and killed eight people including the district police chief, authorities said.

Taliban insurgents claimed responsibility for the attack, in which at least 60 others were wounded. The insurgents have increased assaults on government targets following the withdrawal of most foreign combat troops last year.

The raid started mid-morning when a group of fighters stormed the court and clashed with security forces. The battle continued for two hours and by late afternoon was still going on.

The court is located in a central part of Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital of Balkh, close to the governor's office and other government buildings.  The district police chief was killed along with two other police, according to a statement from the provincial governor's office.

A total of at least eight people were killed and 60 were wounded in the attack, which finally ended early in the evening, said Deputy Minister of Interior Ayoub Salangi in a statement.Read More

Taliban attack on Afghan court kills police chief, 7 others