Taliban attacks provincial leaders in Afghanistan

Taliban militants on Thursday killed 15 security officials during an hourslong attack on a government compound in central Afghanistan. The militants stormed the compound in the Khuja Omari district in Ghazni province early on Thursday and planted mines to prevent any reinforcements from coming to help. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the attack. Mohammad Arif Rahmani, a lawmaker, said the district’s governor, intelligence chief, and deputy police chief were among those killed. At least 45 Taliban fighters also died in the fighting, confirmed Ramazan Ali Moseni, a deputy police chief in the province. The Taliban continues to carry out attacks targeting mostly security forces. Ghazni is largely under the control of the militant group.