This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8160604.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
East Afghan cities hit by Taliban East Afghan cities hit by Taliban
(30 minutes later)
Several people have been killed in a series of attacks by Taleban militants in eastern Afghanistan. Several people have been killed in a series of attacks by Taliban militants in eastern Afghanistan.
A group of gunmen and suicide bombers attacked three key sites, including the governor's compound, in the city of Gardez, killing at least four people. A group of gunmen and suicide bombers attacked four key sites, including the governor's compound, in the city of Gardez.
In Jalalabad, near the border with Pakistan, two militants and one policeman were killed, officials said. Six militants were killed, Afghanistan's defence ministry said, and a number of security personnel.
In Jalalabad, near the Pakistan border, two militants and one policeman were killed in an attack, officials said.
The attacks come amid a spike of violence in the country ahead of elections on 20 August.The attacks come amid a spike of violence in the country ahead of elections on 20 August.
Shoot-outShoot-out
In Gardez, the militants attacked the police chief's office and a police station, as well as the governor's compound, a local official told the BBC. In Gardez, the militants attacked the police chief's office, a police station and the intelligence directorate, as well as the governor's compound, Afghan officials said.
A local trader said there was panic and confusion.A local trader said there was panic and confusion.
"I was at my shop and I suddenly heard a loud explosion and then gunshots. I saw fire being exchanged between the police and attackers," the trader told the BBC."I was at my shop and I suddenly heard a loud explosion and then gunshots. I saw fire being exchanged between the police and attackers," the trader told the BBC.
An Afghan doctor at the hospital in Gardez said he had received four bodies, all of military personnel. Other reports suggested several militants were also killed in the attacks. Reports said that at least two of the attackers were wearing women's burkhas.
Reports said that at least two of the attackers were wearing women's head-to-toe burkhas. In a statement, the defence ministry said four militants were killed in a shoot-out and two blew themselves up.
A number of security personnel were killed and injured, it said, without giving details.
An Afghan doctor at the hospital in Gardez told the BBC he had received four bodies, all of military personnel.
Taliban militants have carried out similar co-ordinated attacks on provincial cities in recent months.Taliban militants have carried out similar co-ordinated attacks on provincial cities in recent months.
In May, six people were killed when militants launched simultaneous attacks on government buildings in the city of Khost in eastern Afghanistan.In May, six people were killed when militants launched simultaneous attacks on government buildings in the city of Khost in eastern Afghanistan.
In Jalalabad, a spokesman for the governor said two militants were killed when they tried to gain access to the airport - a base for Afghan and foreign troops.In Jalalabad, a spokesman for the governor said two militants were killed when they tried to gain access to the airport - a base for Afghan and foreign troops.
One Afghan policeman died in the shoot-out, he said. One Afghan policeman died in the shoot-out, he said. One militant was shot and the other blew himself up.
Troops 'must stay'Troops 'must stay'
Earlier, a British soldier was killed in an explosion in Helmand province in the south of the country.Earlier, a British soldier was killed in an explosion in Helmand province in the south of the country.
He was the 18th British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan this month. The death of four US troops was announced on Monday.He was the 18th British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan this month. The death of four US troops was announced on Monday.
On Monday Nato head Jaap de Hoop Scheffer warned that walking away from the war would have a "devastating" effect, allowing extremism to overwhelm Afghanistan and spread further into Pakistan and Central Asia.On Monday Nato head Jaap de Hoop Scheffer warned that walking away from the war would have a "devastating" effect, allowing extremism to overwhelm Afghanistan and spread further into Pakistan and Central Asia.
The fight in Afghanistan, he said, was essential to the security of Nato members.The fight in Afghanistan, he said, was essential to the security of Nato members.
"Those who argue otherwise - who say we can defend against terrorism from home - are simply burying their heads in the sand," he said."Those who argue otherwise - who say we can defend against terrorism from home - are simply burying their heads in the sand," he said.