Taliban gunmen have attacked an Afghan road construction company in the eastern province of Paktia, reportedly killing at least 35 people and wounded another 20 in the worst single attack in months.
"A large group of Taliban attacked a road construction company in Paktia province. The fighting between the company guards and Taliban attackers continued for five hours," Rohullah Samoon, Paktia provincial spokesman, said on Thursday.
"Thirty-five guards and staff of the company were killed and 20 were injured. There were casualties on the Taliban side as well."
However, Taliban put the death toll at 40.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, said the movement carried out the attack, killing 40 people and torching four vehicles.
He did not mention any Taliban casualties. The group is known frequently to exaggerate its claims.
The attack came a day after at least 13 people were killed and 20 others injured in a suicide bombing on a minibus carrying police cadets in eastern Afghanistan.
"A large group of Taliban attacked a road construction company in Paktia province. The fighting between the company guards and Taliban attackers continued for five hours," Rohullah Samoon, Paktia provincial spokesman, said on Thursday.
"Thirty-five guards and staff of the company were killed and 20 were injured. There were casualties on the Taliban side as well."
However, Taliban put the death toll at 40.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, said the movement carried out the attack, killing 40 people and torching four vehicles.
He did not mention any Taliban casualties. The group is known frequently to exaggerate its claims.
The attack came a day after at least 13 people were killed and 20 others injured in a suicide bombing on a minibus carrying police cadets in eastern Afghanistan.