Taliban suicide assault team strikes courtroom in western Afghanistan [View all]

[dixiegrrrrl]

What struck me as important was the target of this assault...

A Taliban suicide assault team stormed a courthouse in western Afghanistan today in an attempt to free Taliban prisoners who were on trial.

The Taliban assault team, estimated at between six to nine fighters, penetrated security at the courthouse in Farah City by dressing in Afghan National Army uniforms and fooling the guards at the checkpoints. Four of the heavily armed Taliban fighters, some who were wearing suicide vests, dismounted a truck and attacked the courthouse, while two of fighters detonated explosives on the vehicle. The four Taliban fighters then entered the complex and engaged in a firefight with police.

Reports on the number of casualties have varied from eight to 44 killed and more than 90 wounded during the Taliban assault. According to the BBC, 34 civilians and 10 Afghan security personnel, and nine Taliban fighters were killed during the attack. Several judges and court officials are said to be among the wounded.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/taliban_suicide_assa_14.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LongWarJournalSiteWide+%28The+Long+War+Journal+%28Site-Wide%29%29