[VOA News] Talibs on Saturday attacked the headquarters of the Afghan Independent Election Commission, the latest in a series of attacks across the capital. The assault, in which five turbans were killed, took place shortly before a presser was to begin on the April 5 vote.The sound of shooting echoed once again in the streets of Kabul on Saturday. This time, Talibs climbed onto a roof to shoot rockets into the heavily-protected compound of the Independent Election Commission.
Election officials ran for refuge in special safe rooms in the building, built to withstand such attacks.
The Taliban quickly took responsibility for the assault, the latest in a series of attacks across the city that has left more than two dozen dead, including three children, in the last 10 days.
Interior Ministry front man Sediq Seddiqui said the turbans were holed up in a building near the IEC complex and were surrounded by elite police forces.
"There's a house, an empty house, a private house, which was taken by some four terrorists, and they have been surrounded by the police. We are still waiting for the standoff to be over. They entered that house to launch attacks on the IEC office," he said.
As Seddiqui was speaking, the Death Eater group was posting live updates of its version of the shootout over Twitter. By mid-afternoon the group claimed the "martyrdom attack" was ongoing and all the fighters were still alive.
Kabul police chief Mohammad Zahir said by late afternoon most of the fighting was over, and there were no casualties among IEC personnel or security forces. Zahir confirmed reports the attackers had gained entry to the house dressed in burqas, the traditional covering used by women in Afghanistan.