Attack by Taliban insurgents targeting acting Afghan defense minister leaves 8 dead

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack and said that it was revenge for recent attacks by Afghan national forces in various provinces.

Kabul: A bombing attack that targeted Afghanistan's acting defense minister killed at least eight people and wounded 20, authorities said Wednesday. The deputy minister was not hurt in the attack claimed by Taliban insurgents. The blast went off late Tuesday in a heavily guarded upscale neighborhood of the capital of Kabul. It was followed by a gun battle that also left four militants dead, authorities said. The casualty toll could rise, Interior Ministry spokesperson Mirwais Stanekzai said Wednesday.