5 killed, 21 injured in gunmen attack on TV news station in Afghanistan

Kabul, November 7: In Afghanistan, gunmen attacked a local television station in the capital Kabul today, with reports that five people have been killed and more than 21 injured. Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

He said the Afghan security forces managed to clear the building after hours of clashes with the security forces but he did not provide further information regarding the exact number of casualties.

The attackers, who were disguised in police uniform, took refuge in a building inside the facility and exchanged fire with Crisis Response Unit (CRU) forces, Special Operation, who arrived shortly after the attack.

The CRU also rescued scores of journalists and media workers during a three-hour gunfight. Among those injured were several media workers and four personnel of fire department of Kabul police.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC), an independent media safety group, have strongly condemned the incident.

According to a statement issued by the Presidential Palace: “The enemies of Afghanistan, by carrying out a terrorist attack on Shamshad TV, once again showed that they can resort to any kind of conspiracy and inhuman acts to reach their evil objectives.”

He said that press freedom is one of the greatest achievements by Afghanistan and is an integral part of the Constitution.

Ghani also pledged that government will do whatever it can to ensure the protection and security of journalists.

Media outlets and journalists frequently come under attack in the militancy-hit country as 10 Afghan journalists and media workers have been killed in the first half of the year, according to AJSC.