Taleban hit Afghan govt building; 10 killed

A statement said three attackers broke into a communications building in Sharan, the provincial capital, about 100 miles south of Kabul.

In the ensuing firefight two of the attackers set off their suicide bomb vests, it said. In addition to the three attackers, three policemen and four employees of the Telecommunications Ministry were killed in the attack, the statement said. Two officers and a civilian were injured.

The Taleban claimed responsibility and said it involved multiple targets. In a statement e-mailed to journalists, Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the governor's office, the provincial reconstruction team and the intelligence headquarters were all hit.

The ministry, however, said only one building was attacked.

Paktika province borders Pakistan and is one of the main routes for Taleban fighters infiltrating into eastern Afghanistan from their sanctuaries across the border. It is also one of the main strongholds of the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network, which has been blamed for a series of spectacular attacks, including suicide bombings inside Kabul.

Elsewhere, a joint Afghan and coalition force killed seven suspected insurgents and captured 30 in Balkh province, 180 miles (300 kilometers) north of Kabul. A military statement said the guerrillas used rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire to engage the security force. Caches of homemade explosives, pressure-plate bombs, weapons and ammunition were seized.

An explosion in Kunar province killed two Afghan soldiers, military spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said. Six soldiers and four civilians were also killed in the blast; Kazinform cites Arab News.

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