Attack targeting acting Afghan defense minister left 8 dead

Authorities say an attack in an upscale neighborhood of Afghanistan’s capital that targeted the country’s acting defense minister has left at least eight people dead and 20 wounded

KABUL, Afghanistan -- An attack in an upscale neighborhood of Afghanistan’s capital that targeted the country’s acting defense minister left at least eight people dead and 20 wounded, authorities said Wednesday. A powerful explosion followed by a gun battle between Afghan security forces and insurgents took place the night before, said Interior Ministry spokesperson Mirwais Stanekzai. He said the casualty toll could rise. It appeared that the guesthouse of acting Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi was targeted, Stanekzai said. He said Mohammadi was not hurt. Mohammadi's Jamiat-e-Islami party was told the minister was not in the guesthouse and his family had been safely evacuated.