Suicide Attacks in Jalalabad, Afghanistan Leave at Least 17 Dead

An Afghan government official announced that the number of victims from the militants' attack on a construction company in eastern Afghanistan has risen to 17. Attaullah Khogyani, spokesperson for the Nangarhar governor, explained the details of the attack that occurred on Wednesday, March 6, stating that following the operations of two suicide bombers near the main airport of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, three militants also opened fire in the area. According to him, the security forces present in the area engaged in a firefight with the militants; however, 17 people were killed and 10 others were injured, the majority of whom are employees of the construction company. This Afghan government official added that the targeted construction company, ABA, is an Afghan firm and all its employees are Afghan nationals. Attaullah Khogyani finally stated that all the attackers have been killed and the area is now under the control of security forces. No group has claimed responsibility for this attack so far, but both the Taliban and ISIS are active in eastern Afghanistan, particularly in Nangarhar province. Meanwhile, the Taliban has begun negotiations with the U.S. aimed at achieving peace in the country. The U.S. is also trying to persuade the Taliban to negotiate with the Afghan central government to accept a ceasefire at least in the spring. However, the Taliban, which considers the Afghan government a 'puppet of foreigners,' has so far refused to negotiate with Kabul.