Taliban militants fired explosives into Afghanistan’s parliament compound on Monday as the top intelligence official and caretaker minister of interior were due to speak, lawmakers and the insurgents said.
Lawmakers said no one was reported wounded. But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack and said it caused heavy casualties.
The Taliban often claim responsibility for attacks and have been known to exaggerate fatality figures.
“Three rockets were fired at the parliament but they did not hit the main building,” said Safiullah Muslim, a lawmaker from Badakhshan province. “It happened when the session was ongoing.”
There were conflicting reports as to whether the explosions were caused by long-range rocket artillery or shoulder-fired rocket-propelled grenades.
The blast took place when senior security officials were on way towards the building to brief lawmakers, Khaama Press reported.
The members of the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of parliament, were holding a meeting when the attack took place.
The Parliament building, built with Indian aid, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December last year. No Indians on site were hurt in the attack, reports said.
