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Suicide bombers hit Afghan city | Suicide bombers hit Afghan city |
(10 minutes later) | |
Suicide bombers have hit the police chief's office in the eastern Afghan city of Khost as suspected Taliban fighters confronted security forces. | |
Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard near the main police station, attorney general's office, courts and a local bank branch, witnesses said. | |
The battle - said to be still going on - comes amid a spike of violence ahead of elections on 20 August. | The battle - said to be still going on - comes amid a spike of violence ahead of elections on 20 August. |
The Taliban have recently carried out several attacks on provincial cities. | The Taliban have recently carried out several attacks on provincial cities. |
City confusion | |
A senior security official at the Interior Ministry in Kabul told the BBC: ''Several suicide attackers have tried to enter the police chief's office in Khost province. | |
"Our forces are trying to stop them, there is a serious shoot-out between us and them." | |
Khost resident Mohammad Goal Jan described the confusion. | |
"I can hear a lot of gunshots and loud explosions from the police chief's office. | |
"Police and army have blocked the main roads. Khost city is empty. There is a lot of confusion at the moment.'' | |
Defence Minister spokesman General Mohammed Zahir Azimi said the fighting was still going on. | Defence Minister spokesman General Mohammed Zahir Azimi said the fighting was still going on. |
In May, six people were killed when militants launched simultaneous assaults on government buildings in Khost. | In May, six people were killed when militants launched simultaneous assaults on government buildings in Khost. |
Last week at least four security personnel were killed in attacks on Gardez, about 50 miles (80km) northwest of Khost, when militants attacked the police chief's office, a police station and the intelligence directorate, as well as the governor's compound. | Last week at least four security personnel were killed in attacks on Gardez, about 50 miles (80km) northwest of Khost, when militants attacked the police chief's office, a police station and the intelligence directorate, as well as the governor's compound. |
Another security personnel died in an attack in eastern city of Jalalabad. | Another security personnel died in an attack in eastern city of Jalalabad. |