More than 50 people were killed in a militant attack on a government compound in western Afghanistan. NBCNews.com's Ron Allen reports.By John Newland, Staff Writer, NBC NewsAt least 54 people were killed and 90 others wounded Wednesday in an insurgent attack on a government compound in western Afghanistan where Taliban fighters were facing trial, local officials said.
Nine insurgents with explosives strapped to their bodies stormed the compound in Farah province, bordering Iran, Reuters reported. Explosions were followed by protracted gunbattles.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, and Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said that the insurgents on trial were freed in the attack, the news agency reported.
Other news agencies said the attackers were unable to free the Taliban members. NBC News could not immediately confirm the reports.
Among the dead were 35 civilians, 10 members of the Afghan Security Forces and the nine suicide attackers, Mohammad Akram Khpalwalk, governor of Farah province, said.
Most of the 90 to 95 people wounded were civilians, said Dr. Abdul Jabaar, the head of the hospital where victims were taken.
The attack was the deadliest single assault in the country since 2011.
Reuters and NBC News' Jamieson Lesko contributed to this report.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
This story was originally published on Wed Apr 3, 2013 11:21 AM EDT
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