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Suicide bombers hit Afghan city Suicide bombers hit Afghan city
(about 1 hour later)
Taliban militants, including several suicide bombers, have attacked government buildings in the south-eastern Afghan city of Khost. Taliban militants have tried to carry out multiple suicide attacks on government buildings in the eastern Afghan city of Khost, officials say.
The militants, armed with automatic weapons, battled security forces until six blew themselves up and one was shot dead, according to defence officials. They say at least six attackers wearing suicide belts targeted the main police station, but were killed in a gun battle with security forces.
They say 14 civilians and three police officers were wounded. Another militant died in a suicide car bombing. At least 17 people were wounded in the violence.
The violence comes amid a rise in attacks ahead of Afghanistan's presidential election due on 20 August. It comes amid a rise in attacks ahead of the 20 August presidential election.
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. The interior ministry says six suicide bombers armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked Khost's police station and nearby buildings on Saturday.
Critically wounded "All of the bombers who had suicide vests on their bodies were identified and fired at by our brave police before they reached their targets," the ministry said.
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." It was unclear which attackers were shot dead by security forces and how many managed to detonate their vests.
But government officials told the BBC eight militants had attacked various sites, and only one of them managed to get away. The suicide car bomber injured a number of policemen at an old military hospital in the city.
One of the 14 civilians wounded in the fighting is in a critical condition, a defence ministry spokesman told the BBC. Defence officials said an eighth attacker may have got away.
Khost resident Mohammad Goal Jan described the confusion during the fighting. In total three security officers and 14 civilians were wounded in Saturday's fighting. One civilian is in a critical condition, a defence ministry spokesman said.
"I can hear a lot of gunshots and loud explosions from the police chief's office. Security worries
"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. 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.
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 official died in an attack in eastern city of Jalalabad.