14:50/21:07:2009

GARDEZ (PAN): Six policemen including an officer were killed in a series of suicide attacks on government buildings in Gardez, capital of the southeastern Paktia province, just before noon on Tuesday. A local security official, requesting not to be named, confided to Pajhwok Afghan News the suicide bombers struck the First Police District, the National Directorate of Security office and a vehicle carrying the victims. Familiar with the well-coordinated bombings, the source said the head of the First Police District was among six policemen killed by one of the three assailants.

Seven others including policemen were wounded, he added. Sporadic gunshots rang out through the city, as panic-stricken people ran pell-mell in the wake of the daring attacks, claimed by Taliban insurgents. A rebel spokesman said 15 armed fighters including suicide bombers stole into the city to conduct the cassualts. Zabihullah Mujahid added the militants stormed buildings of revenue and intelligence departments as well as a military unit. He claimed heavy casualties were inflicted on government officials and security personnel. In a fierce clash triggered by the complex strikes, one source revealed, four of the attackers were shot dead. Two burqa-clad suicide bombers were among the guerrillas killed in the gun-battle, the official informed. A spokeswoman for the US military was quoted as saying that American troops based near the provincial capital responded to the attacks. However, Capt. Elizabeth Mathias had no information if the US soldiers took part in the fighting.

In May, Taliban militants had launched a similar cassault on Khost City , where suicide bombers struck key government buildings. Twenty people were killed in the attacks that left three US troops wounded. Eyewitness Samiullah said he saw several dead bodies and wounded people shifted to hospital in ambulances soon after the bombings. At least one blast was heard in front of the Governor's House, he concluded.