At least 15 people were killed and over 30 others were wounded in a car bomb explosion near the district governor’s compound in Ghanikhil district in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Saturday afternoon, local officials confirmed.

The Nangarhar governor’s spokesman confirmed the casualties and said some gunmen wanted to enter the district governor’s compound but were killed by security forces.

Obaidullah Shinwari, member of Nangahar provincial council, said at least eight of those killed in the attack are civilians.

Government Blames the Taliban for the Attack 

The Afghan government in a statement on Saturday blamed the Taliban for the attack and said the Taliban and other terrorist groups continue their “crimes” against the people of Afghanistan. 

“The Taliban and other terrorist groups, in collusion with them, continue their terrorist activities and, like today’s terrorist attack in Nangarhar, kill civilians every day and destroy public infrastructures,” the Presidential Palace statement read.  

 According to local officials, children are also among those killed and wounded in the car bomb attack.