On 21 January 2019, in central Afghanistan, the Taliban attacked a military compound in Maidan Shar, Maidan Wardak Province. The attack killed soldiers of the Afghan National Security Forces.[1]
The Taliban attacked while in the process of negotiating a truce with the United States.[2] The attack began when a car bomb rammed through a military checkpoint and onto the grounds of the compound, where the car exploded. After the explosion, two gunmen entered the base and opened fire on Afghan soldiers, before both attackers were shot dead.[3]
126 people were killed in the attack.[1] The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying that over 190 people were killed in the attack.[1] The Afghan National Directorate of Security reported that 36 military personnel were killed.[4]