5 militants, policeman killed in police HQ attack

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Taliban gunmen on Tuesday launched a group attack on the police headquarters of northeastern Kunduz province, sparking a gun-battle that left five attackers and a policeman dead, officials said.

Two more policemen and a civilian were also injured, said Kunduz governor Mohammad Omar Safi.

Kunduz police spokesman Syed Sarwar Hussaini told Pajhwok Afghan News the attack involving five militants began shortly after 11am, when a suicide attacker on foot detonated his explosives at the gate of the police compound.

The remaining four gunmen, all in military uniform, then tried to force their way inside the facility in a pick-up vehicle, firing at the police, he said.

The four fighters were gunned down during the intense gun-battle that left one policeman and a woman wounded.

Roohullah, an eyewitness, said the attackers were in a Ranger pick-up vehicle and were trying to enter the police building but security guards prevented them.

He said a number of policemen suffered casualties in the incident and were evacuated to hospital for treatment, but he had no exact figure.

Interior Ministry officials said two suicide blasts took place during the assault that came to an end with the killing of all the attackers.

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