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Afghan troops clash with Taliban | Afghan troops clash with Taliban |
(30 minutes later) | |
Armed Taliban militants, wearing suicide vests, have attacked a building in eastern Afghanistan, sparking a clash with police, officials said. | |
The attack took place in Gardez town, capital of Paktia province, at about 9am (0430GMT), an official said. | |
Firing can be heard in the heart of the town and the assault is continuing. At least two militants have been killed. | |
Eastern Afghanistan is one of the worst flash points of violence in the Taliban-led insurgency. | |
Correspondents say coordinated gun and suicide attacks, usually targeting Afghan government officials and security installations, have become increasingly frequent. | |
The militants, five in number, seized a building near police headquarters in Gardez, and began firing at security forces as they surrounded the building, reports quoting officials said. | |
Troops have cornered the fighters in a market, a spokesman for the governor of Paktia province, Rohullah Samoon, said. | Troops have cornered the fighters in a market, a spokesman for the governor of Paktia province, Rohullah Samoon, said. |
The Taliban said they had carried out the assault, which was still continuing at mid-day. | |
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told the Associated Press that the five attackers were targeting the police station. | |
He said all were wearing suicide vests and were armed with rocket-propelled grenades. | |
In July, gunmen and suicide bombers targeted four sites in the city of Gardez, among them the governor's compound. | In July, gunmen and suicide bombers targeted four sites in the city of Gardez, among them the governor's compound. |