KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban launched a complex attack on the Afghan parliament today, with a suicide car bomber striking at the entrance and gunmen battling police as lawmakers were meeting inside to try to confirm the appointment of a defense minister, police and witnesses said.

Afghan security forces managed to repel the attack, killing all seven gunmen and ensuring no members of parliament were harmed.

But the audacious assault on one of the most heavily guarded compounds in the capital came as the Taliban captured two northern districts in as many days, displaying their ability to operate on multiple fronts.

Health Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ismail Kahousi said 31 civilians were wounded in the parliament attack, including two women and two children.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said the attack began with a car bomb explosion near the entrance to parliament. Gunmen then attempted to storm the compound but were pushed back by security forces and eventually corralled into a nearby building that was under construction.