An Afghanistan military base in the eastern city of Gardez was attacked on Wednesday. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the same. The attack comes after the government led by Ashraf Ghani ordered forces to resume attack on the militants.
In an AFP report, Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid was quoted as saying, "After the announcement of the offensive... a martyrdom attack was carried out against an important military headquarters of the Kabul administration."
According to Afghan officials, a vehicle carrying a bomb killed five civilians and wounded 19—including five army personnel.
But the Taliban claimed "tens of soldiers were killed and wounded", and denied reports that civilians were killed.
This incident comes after the Taliban attacked an Afghan army checkpoint in eastern Laghman province, killing six soldiers and wounding five on May 11.
US special envoy in new talks with the Taliban in Qatar had reemphasized the need for a reduction in violence on May 6.
On May 12, the Taliban stormed the maternity hospital in Dashti Barchi and killed 24 people including two mothers and their new-born babies.
The Taliban and IS are active in the Afghan capital and its surroundings, and both frequently target the military and security forces, as well as civilians.
Post this, President Ghani was quoted in an Al Jazeera report as saying, "I am ordering Afghan security forces to switch from an active defence mode to an offensive one and to start their operations against the enemies."
Taliban, who had signed a peace agreement with the US later denied any involvement in the attack on the maternity hospital.
(With PTI inputs)
