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Afghanistan: Many die in assault on governor's compound Afghanistan: Many die in assault on governor's compound
(40 minutes later)
At least 19 people are dead and many are injured after militants in Afghanistan stormed the provincial governor's compound in Parwan.At least 19 people are dead and many are injured after militants in Afghanistan stormed the provincial governor's compound in Parwan.
Powerful explosions followed by bursts of gunfire were heard in the provincial capital, Charikar, an hour's drive north-west of Kabul, witnesses said.Powerful explosions followed by bursts of gunfire were heard in the provincial capital, Charikar, an hour's drive north-west of Kabul, witnesses said.
The governor, Abdul Basir Salangi, told media from inside the compound that up to six suicide bombers had struck.The governor, Abdul Basir Salangi, told media from inside the compound that up to six suicide bombers had struck.
Taliban insurgents say they carried out the attack, which lasted several hours. The Taliban say they carried out the attack, which lasted at least an hour.
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville says Parvan is usually relatively peaceful.The BBC's Quentin Sommerville says Parvan is usually relatively peaceful.
However, under-equipped police there have been struggling both to resist Taliban militants and a rising crime level.However, under-equipped police there have been struggling both to resist Taliban militants and a rising crime level.
Multiple blasts Close quarters
Militants attacked the compound just after 11:00 (06:30 GMT), the Afghan interior ministry said.Militants attacked the compound just after 11:00 (06:30 GMT), the Afghan interior ministry said.
A suicide car bomb was detonated, after which five other militants wearing bomb vests broke into the compound, police said.A suicide car bomb was detonated, after which five other militants wearing bomb vests broke into the compound, police said.
Parwan provincial police chief Sher Mohammad Maladani gave details of the attack. Mr Salangi told the BBC: ''A suicide attacker wearing a police uniform... detonated his explosives outside the northern gate. Then five others attacked my office.
"Five suicide bombers broke into the compound and a gunfight erupted," he told AFP news agency. "They managed to get inside the compound to the halls. The fighting went on for one hour."
"Five blasts took place inside the compound. Three of the blasts took place inside the building, about 15m [yds] away from the governor's office." Police and intelligence sources told the BBC the compound was attacked from several directions.
Fighting was so fierce that government forces were sometimes just a meter (yard) from their attackers.
"They even got close to the governor's office... but his bodyguards opened fire, killing the last attacker, who was using a rocket-propelled grenade," a police source said.
A meeting of security chiefs was under way at the time, with local police and intelligence chiefs present, along with advisers from the international coalition.A meeting of security chiefs was under way at the time, with local police and intelligence chiefs present, along with advisers from the international coalition.
According to the independent Afghan news agency Pajhwok, most of the victims had come to the governor's house to collect their national identity cards.According to the independent Afghan news agency Pajhwok, most of the victims had come to the governor's house to collect their national identity cards.
The bombers were shot dead before they could reach their target, interior ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqi said. At least two US military officials were taking part but were unhurt, according to provincial police chief Sher Mohammad Maladani.
At least two US military officials were taking part but were unhurt, according to Mr Maladani.
Afghan policemen and officials were among those killed or injured.
Mohammad Asif, chief doctor at the Parwan provincial hospital, told Reuters most of the dead were "government employees".
The governor's compound has come under attack on previous occasions.The governor's compound has come under attack on previous occasions.
The Taliban recently appeared to change their tactics, launching attacks on prominent figures or targets which were deemed to be particularly well-protected.The Taliban recently appeared to change their tactics, launching attacks on prominent figures or targets which were deemed to be particularly well-protected.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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