Six killed as armed gunmen storm Afghanistan Ramadan food aid event

Hundreds of people had gathered outside the governor's office in the provincial capital Firozkoh, where a Qatari group was distributing aid. 

It was not immediately clear why the gathering turned violent, but officials blamed armed men in the crowd.

"The protesters opened fire on the police," the provincial governor's spokesman Aref Haber said.

"Four civilians, including an employee of a local radio and two policemen were killed," he said, adding that 19 people were also wounded.

Read also: Afghan soldier fatally stabs sister in 'honour killing'

He said the protesters also beat security personnel and an investigation into the incident was underway.

The interior ministry confirmed the death toll in a statement, saying "some illegal armed men in the mob attacked the government building", which prompted police to fire into the air to disperse the crowd.

Abdul Rahman Akshan, the deputy head of Ghor's provincial council, also confirmed the incident and the death toll. 

Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh said the attack was "shocking" and announced that the "government was seriously investigating the incident" in a Facebook post.

The aid group was distributing food to about 1,000 local families. Food drives are a common practice in the country during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The attack comes as Afghanistan continues to battle a growing coronavirus outbreak that has exacerbated problems with food access in the impoverished country.

Afghanistan has recorded 4,033 cases of the novel coronavirus, as well as 115 deaths.

Agencies contributed to this report.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected