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Afghan troops clash with Taliban Afghan troops clash with Taliban
(30 minutes later)
Afghan forces have clashed with Taliban fighters who are attacking a government building in the eastern town of Gardez, officials and residents say. Armed Taliban militants, wearing suicide vests, have attacked a building in eastern Afghanistan, sparking a clash with police, officials said.
The militants are wearing suicide vests and carrying arms, 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.
Small and heavy arms fire is being heard in the heart of the town and the assault is continuing. Officials say they believe there are some casualties. 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.