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Suicide bombers hit Afghan city Suicide bombers hit Afghan city
(about 2 hours later)
Taliban militants have carried out suicide attacks on several government buildings in Khost, eastern Afghanistan, police say. Taliban militants, including several suicide bombers, have attacked government buildings in the south-eastern Afghan city of Khost.
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. The militants, armed with automatic weapons, battled security forces until six blew themselves up and one was shot dead, according to defence officials.
Militants were using machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades, and there were reports of casualties. They say 14 civilians and three police officers were wounded.
It comes amid a spike of violence ahead of elections on 20 August. The violence comes amid a rise in attacks ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election due on 20 August.
A doctor at Khost hospital said seven civilians and three police were injured. Officials say militants wearing suicide belts and armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked Khost's main police station and nearby buildings on Saturday.
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." Critically wounded
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. It was unclear how many attackers were involved. 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."
One hospital guard was injured in that attack. But government officials told the BBC eight militants had attacked various sites, and only one of them managed to get away.
Another attacker was shot by security personnel close to Kabul Bank, and another was shot close to a government guesthouse, he said. One of the 14 civilans wounded in the fighting is in a critical condition, a defence ministry spokesman told the BBC.
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". Khost resident Mohammad Goal Jan described the confusion during the fighting.
City confusion
Khost resident Mohammad Goal Jan described the confusion during the hours of fighting.
"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.''
One of the presidential candidates, Ramazan Bashardost, was in Khost but was not affected.One of the presidential candidates, Ramazan Bashardost, was in Khost but was not affected.
Previous attacks
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.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.
Such attacks will only add to the worries of local Afghans in the country's restive south-eastern provinces.Such attacks will only add to the worries of local Afghans in the country's restive south-eastern provinces.
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.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.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.