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Suicide bombers hit Afghan city Suicide bombers hit Afghan city
(about 2 hours later)
Suicide bombers have attacked the police chief's office in Khost, eastern Afghanistan, as suspected Taliban fighters confronted security forces. Taliban militants have carried out suicide attacks on several government buildings in Khost, eastern Afghanistan, police say.
Heavy gunfire and explosions were also heard near the main police station, attorney general's office, courts and a local bank branch, witnesses said. A gun battle broke out between security forces and the fighters who launched co-ordinated attacks on the police chief's office, a hospital and a bank.
There were reports of casualties, and the battle was said to be going on. Militants were using machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades, and there were reports of casualties.
It comes amid a spike of violence ahead of elections on 20 August, and follows recent provincial attacks by Taliban. It comes amid a spike of violence ahead of elections on 20 August.
A doctor at Khost hospital said seven civilians and three police were injured.
It was unclear how many attackers were involved, but Zabihullah Mujahid who claims to be a Taliban spokesman told the BBC from unknown location: "Four of our attackers had entered the city this afternoon."
Khost provinical police chief Abdul Qayum Baqizai told the BBC seven suicide bombers attacked various sites, including one who detonated a bomb-laden car near a military hospital.
One hospital guard was injured in that attack.
Another attacker was shot by security personnel close to Kabul Bank, and another was shot close to a government guesthouse, he said.
Mr Baqizai said the rest, dressed in border police uniforms, tried to enter the police chief's office but "our forces opened fire and killed them all".
City confusionCity 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. Khost resident Mohammad Goal Jan described the confusion during the hours of fighting.
"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."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.''"Police and army have blocked the main roads. Khost city is empty. There is a lot of confusion at the moment.''
Rockets and guns One of the presidential candidates, Ramazan Bashardost, was in Khost but was not affected.
Defence Minister spokesman General Mohammed Zahir Azimi said the fighting was still going on. The attack is a big blow to the authorities who have promised better security for the elections next month, says the BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul.
"There are casualties but at this moment we don't know exactly how many people have been killed and injured," he was quoted by AFP news agency as saying. Such attacks will only add to the worries of local Afghans in the country's restive south-eastern provinces.
"They are armed with AK-47s and rockets. They are surrounded in a building from where they resist." Most of them live in a climate of fear. After attacks in Khost, Paktia and Ningarhar provinces recently, security was beefed up specifically on the outskirts of the city which borders Pakistan.
According to local residents, all vehicles coming in and out of Khost were checked on regular basis.
Previous attacks
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.