LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Ten people, including four militants, were killed on Wednesday when a group of militants forced their way into the New Kabul Bank branch in Lashkargah, the capital of southern Helmand province.
Farid Ahmad Obaid, the police spokesman, said the fierce clash erupted at around 11:30am when a four-member group of suicide bombers entered the facility. Two of the bombers blew themselves up while the rest were gunned down by security forces.
Eight others, including two policemen, were wounded in the firefight. Haji Ayub, the bank manager, escaped unhurt in the attack, he added. But a health official at the Emergency Hospital confirmed receiving six dead and seven wounded people.
Haji Ayub told Pajhwok Afghan News a number of customers and bank employees were among the casualties. Witnesses said the insurgents, brandishing their weapons, stormed into the bank at around 11:30am and started trading fire with the security personnel on duty.
Abdul Ghayur, a soldier of the Afghan National Army (ANA), told Pajhwok Afghan News he was inside the bank when a huge blast occurred. Immediately after the explosion, the Taliban forced their way into the bank.
“As soon as I came out, another explosion jolted the area,” he said, fearing casualties. However, he gave no specific figures. A shopkeeper also said intense gunfire continued for a long time.
Heavy police contingents reached the scene. The police spokesman said four militants had entered the bank, with one of them blowing himself up. Police reached the site and an exchange of gunfire was ongoing, he said.
rm/mud
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