Afghanistan: Taliban kills 13 in complex attack on police in Pul-e-Khumri May 5

Event

Taliban militants launched a complex attack on a police headquarters in Pul-e-Khumri (Baghlan province) on Sunday, May 5, killing at least 13 police officers and wounding 55 others. Similar attacks targeting security forces are to be expected in Afghanistan over the coming weeks, with the Taliban recently rejecting calls from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad for a ceasefire ahead of and during Ramadan.

Context

Taliban militants launch attacks on government personnel, security forces, and civilians in Afghanistan on a near-daily basis. Such assaults are, in part, intended to undermine the perceived capacity of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) - and the Afghan government more broadly - to adequately provide security in the wake of the withdrawal of most US-led NATO forces from the country and to gain leverage in ongoing peace discussions with the US.

Advice

Individuals in Afghanistan are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to instructions and advice issued by their home governments.

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.