Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Taliban Respond to Ghani's Statement with Attack

Ayesha Tanzeem

   ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - A Taliban attack on an Afghan army compound in
   Gardez city of Paktia province Thursday morning killed at least five
   civilians and wounded dozens more, including five people from the
   military.

   A spokesman for the army's 203 Thunder Corps, Aimal Khan Mohmand, told
   VOA the suicide attacker in an explosives laden Mazda truck managed to
   damage the walls of the compound.

   Afghanistan's Tolo news has reported that based on social media
   pictures, the building was "destroyed."

   Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility and said the
   attack was a response to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's order to
   resume offensive operations against the insurgent group. The operations
   were suspended since the insurgent group signed a landmark deal with
   the United States in Doha in February to try to end the war.