Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Television Station Attacked in Afghan Capital

by Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD --

   A bomb-and-gun attack on the headquarters of a private Afghan
   television station in Kabul Tuesday left at least 2 people dead and
   more than 20 wounded.

   Islamic State claimed it plotted the assault against Shamshad TV in the
   city.

   Witnesses said the morning attack began with a suspected suicide
   bombing, enabling other assailants to storm the facility.

   Three more explosions were also heard during the siege which lasted
   several hours before Afghan security forces gunned down the attackers.

   The broadcaster suspended its programing and resumed it, saying "the
   attack on Shamshad TV has ended."

   An employee at the station told VOA at least 20 wounded people, mostly
   employees at the station, have been taken to hospitals in the Afghan
   capital.

   Television footage showed members of Afghan forces' Crisis Response
   Unit surrounding and trying to enter the building while exchanging
   heavy gunfire with attackers.

   The Taliban insurgency swiftly denied its involvement.

   Abed Ehsas, the station's news director, told the Afghan TOLO channel
   the attackers threw hand grenades, killing at least one security guard
   and wounding several others before, "shooting at anyone in their
   sight."

   "It was an attack on the media and on the people's voice. It was not
   the first attack and probably it will not be the last attack (on
   media)," Ehsas said.

   Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), an independent watchdog
   defending and promoting freedom of expression in the country, condemned
   the attack as "a brazen assault" on the Afghan media.

   Afghanistan is on top of the list of countries considered most
   dangerous for journalists and media workers. A Taliban suicide bomber
   in 2016 killed seven members of TOLO, Afghanistan's largest private
   television station.

   Meanwhile,United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said Tuesday
   civilian casualties in attacks on religious worship places and leaders,
   primarily from the minority Shi'ite Muslim community, have increased in
   the country in the last two years.

   The mission recorded more than 260 fatalities and 572 wounded in the
   violence since the beginning of 2016, nearly double the figure for the
   previous seven years.

   Two suicide bombings of mosques last month killed at least 72 people in
   Afghanistan. The deadliest strike was at a crowded Shi'ite worship
   place in Kabul, leaving 57 people dead.

   Islamic State claimed responsibly for that attack.