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		</div><p>At least five people were killed when Taliban fighters attacked the offices of a US-based aid organisation in the Afghan capital, the Interior Ministry has said.</p>
<p>The attackers set off a huge explosion and battled security forces in an assault lasting more than six hours, it was reported.</p>
<p>The ministry’s statement said four civilians and a police officer were killed and 24 others were wounded in the assault.</p>
<p>It was not immediately clear if any foreigners were killed or wounded.</p>
<p>The attack ended after all five insurgents were killed by Afghan forces, the statement said.</p>
<p><em>“Around 200 people were rescued from both buildings within the compound,”</em> it added.</p>
<p>The attack targeted the US-based aid organisation Counterpart International, which has offices near those of the Afghan attorney general, Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.</p>
<p>The group’s offices are in a compound with two five-story buildings.</p>
<p><em>“We are incredibly saddened by this attack and are working as quickly as possible to account for our staff,”</em> the organisation said in a statement on its website.</p>
<p><em>“Their safety and security is our primary concern.”</em></p>
<p>Related: <a href="http://londonglossy.com/taliban-urged-stop-killing-afghans/">Taliban Urged to Stop Killing after Attacking Border Troops</a></p>
<p>Johan Bass, US ambassador in Afghanistan, strongly condemned the attack on the NGO.</p>
<p>He said the targeted organisation helped local communities, trained journalists and supported the Afghan people.</p>
<p>The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan also condemned the insurgents for deliberately targeting a civilian aid organisation.</p>
<p><em>“Today’s attack was particularly deplorable, hitting civilians helping Afghans,”</em> the statement said.</p>
<p>Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group attacked the organisation because it was involved in “harmful Western activities” inside Afghanistan.</p>
<p>Taliban insurgents stage near-daily attacks on Afghan forces, even as peace efforts have accelerated to find an end to the country’s 17-year war.</p>
<p>Afghan president Ashraf Ghani called for peace with the Taliban last week and promised to free 175 Taliban prisoners ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Monday.</p>
<p>The Taliban said they would continue their attacks during Ramadan, but would be “very careful of civilians during any operation”.</p>
<p>The insurgents have rejected past ceasefire proposals, saying US and NATO troops must withdraw from the country first.</p>
<p>The Taliban also refuses to negotiate directly with the government in Kabul, seeing it as a US puppet.</p>
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