5 gunmen, 4 civilians killed in attack on U.S. non-profit in Afghanistan

May 8 (UPI) -- Nine people, including five attackers and four civilians, died Wednesday after Taliban-affiliated gunmen took over a building in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed Afghan Special Forces killed all five of the gunmen involved in the attack on the Counterpart International building.

Militants attacked the building with an explosive device and then stormed inside with gunfire continuing into the night. Authorities rescued at least 150 people from the building.

Another explosive-laden vehicle was seized by security forces before it could go off.

Ministry of Public Health spokesman Wahidullah Mayar said five people were taken by ambulance to area hospitals. One hospital posted on Twitter that it had 15 injured people.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility in a Twitter post.

He accused Counterpart International of being involved in "harmful Western activities inside Afghanistan" that bring "brutality, oppression, terror, anti-Islamic ideology and promotion of Western culture."

Counterpart International is a non-governmental entity based in the United States that's been operating in Afghanistan since 2005. It receives funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to its website.

In a statement on the attack, the organization said it runs a civil society engagement program in Afghanistan "to encourage peace, increase youth participation, strengthen rights and improve opportunities for women."

The attack took place during Ramadan, a monthlong religious holiday of fasting and charitable giving. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called for a cease-fire during Ramadan.