10 killed in attack on govt building in Khost

KHOST CITY (PAN): Seven security officials and three suicide bombers were killed during the clash at the traffic police department in southeastern Khost province on Sunday, officials said.

Some suicide bombers stormed the department at 5am in Khost City and engaged in a gunbattle with the security personnel until 11am, killing four policemen and injuring three civilians.

Three Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed and two others were injured when the assailants opened fire for a second time at 1.00pm, an army official said on condition of anonymity.

Three suicide bombers were killed while a fourth was still putting up resistance, said the provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai. He had no information about the death of ANA soldiers.

Earlier, one suicide bomber blew himself up, interior ministry spokesman Zmaray Bashari told a press conference in Kabul. One civilian and two policemen were killed and four others injured.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said several suicide bombers forced their way into the Quick Reaction Force headquarters and engaged in a clash with the security personnel.

The three-storey building is located near the Quick Reaction Force headquarters, Department of Agriculture (UNAMA) and a border police checkpoint.

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