Elections under fire

Published March 25, 2014
Afghan security officers arrive to the scene after two suicide bombers have struck near the home of candidate running for president, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in the country's April 5 elections, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 25. – Photo by AP
Afghan security officers arrive to the scene after two suicide bombers have struck near the home of candidate running for president, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in the country's April 5 elections, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 25. – Photo by AP
Afghan police stand guard near the site of an attack in Kabul March 25. – Photo by Reuters
Afghan police stand guard near the site of an attack in Kabul March 25. – Photo by Reuters
Afghan policemen stand guard near the site of an attack in Kabul March 25. – Photo by Reuters
Afghan policemen stand guard near the site of an attack in Kabul March 25. – Photo by Reuters
Afghan civilians run away as security personnel congregate near an Afghan election commission office during an attack by militants in Kabul on March 25. – Photo by AFP
Afghan civilians run away as security personnel congregate near an Afghan election commission office during an attack by militants in Kabul on March 25. – Photo by AFP
Afghan security forces rush towards an election commission office during an attack by militants in Kabul on March 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Afghan security forces rush towards an election commission office during an attack by militants in Kabul on March 25, 2014. – Photo by AFP
Afghan forces secure the perimeter near an election commission office during an attack by militants in Kabul on March 25. – Photo by AFP
Afghan forces secure the perimeter near an election commission office during an attack by militants in Kabul on March 25. – Photo by AFP
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops walk past Afghan policemen securing the perimeter near an Afghan election commission office during an attack by militants in Kabul on March 25. – Photo by AFP
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops walk past Afghan policemen securing the perimeter near an Afghan election commission office during an attack by militants in Kabul on March 25. – Photo by AFP

The Taliban have vowed a campaign of violence to disrupt the ballot on April 5, urging their fighters to attack polling staff, voters and security forces in the run up to election day. With less than two weeks to go before the presidential poll, suicide bombers attacked a building next to the house of Afghan presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani and engaged in a gun battle with security guards protecting his home. Militants also launched a gun and suicide attack on an Afghan election commission office in Kabul. An Afghan police official said two suicide bombers were dead but another four insurgents may still be inside the election commission office.

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