LOC12:51
09:51 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Sept 4 (KUNA) -- Armed militants attacked an intelligence office of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) in southern Ghazni province of Afghanistan on Thursday killing at least three policemen, officials said.
Provincial security chief Asadullah Insafi said the gunmen attacked the intelligence compound and headquarters of the "rapid reaction forces" that continued for almost one hour.
Shafiq Nang, provincial governor's spokesman, confirmed that three security personnel along with 13 militants were killed and 50 others were injured when an explosion occurred, followed by a gun-battle.
The officials said about 13 insurgents armed with machine guns and grenades attacked the NDS office in Ghazni province, one of the most volatile regions of Afghanistan. A massive truck bomb triggered the fight between the security forces and attackers. An official at Ghazni hospital said that about 60 people including many civilians were treated at the hospital.
According to local media reports, Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesman for Taliban rebels, claimed the responsibility for the attack that was carried out with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.
The attack took place while the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is preparing to withdraw from Afghanistan by the year-end. (end)
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