Suicide bombers and gunmen are responsible for the deadliest attack in Afghanistan since December 2011, according to BBC. The assault on a courthouse in the Farah province claimed the lives of over 50 individuals and wounded 90. Many victims of the bombing were civilians.
Insurgents dressed to resemble soldiers, were attempting to aid in the escape of possible Taliban members, according to Afghan officials. The Taliban has already claimed responsibility for the attack.
A similar assault, with the use of a bomb and firearms, killed a civilian, six policemen, and four of the attacker.
The attack, which began 9 a.m. local time, began with the explosion of large military vehicles. The explosion affected nearby banks, which were being used by civilians, and damaged the local governor’s office. The attackers spread out into a number of nearby building while the firefight ensued.
According to the Associated Press, Provincial police chief Afgha Noor Kemotz, counted six militants armed with suicide bomb vests.
According to Kemotz, the attackers goal was to retrieve 15 Taliban prisoners who were headed to the courthouse to stand trial.
"Definitely the plan was to free the prisoners with this attack but, thank God, they did not succeed," he said. "All the prisoners are accounted for."
According to BCC, Sayed Jan, a local shopkeeper, witnessed the attack.
"I heard a huge bang and when I looked I saw several attackers armed with light and heavy weapons running towards the bank and the court,” he said. "There is blood and broken glass. There is a heavy exchange of gunfire and my shop has become a centre of the fighting."
According to those who witnessed the attack, both the militants and the Afghan security forces used assault rifles and grenades. CNN reported the main points of attack appeared to be the attorney general’s office and the courthouse.
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