16:30/21:12:2009

The main bazaar in the capital of southeastern Paktia province wore a deserted look on Monday when Afghan National Army (ANA) and foreign soldiers ringed the city after a militant attack on the police headquarters. Gunshots were heard as the insurgents stormed the police compound at approximately 9:45am. Governor's spokesman Rohullah Samoon said the brazen assault was carried out by a number of suicide attackers. He added all the attackers were trapped inside a market near the police headquarters.

At least three of the assailants were killed in an ensuing firefight, the official said without giving further details. But the Taliban claimed their five fighters armed with heavy and light weapons killed a number of policemen during the attack. However rebel mouthpiece Zabihullah Mujahid gave no specific number of the fatalities inflicted on police. Residents and shopkeepers evacuated the main city market as police, ANA and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldiers surrounded the site. People who had come to receive passports from the police headquarters were evacuated to safety. (PAN)