This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8045515.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Multiple attacks hit Afghan city | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Six people have been killed in simultaneous attacks on government buildings in the city of Khost in eastern Afghanistan, officials say. | |
Militants took hostages when they launched assaults on the offices of the provincial governor and municipal administration, reports say. | |
Officials have described the situation in Khost as chaotic following multiple suicide blasts and gun battles. | |
A Taleban spokesman has claimed responsibility for the attacks. | |
Zabihullah Mujahid told the AFP news agency: "Thirty of our fighters armed with suicide cars, suicide jackets and guns have entered the city." | Zabihullah Mujahid told the AFP news agency: "Thirty of our fighters armed with suicide cars, suicide jackets and guns have entered the city." |
Interior ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary could not confirm the number of militants involved, but said that a team of suicide bombers targeted two government buildings. | |
Officials said that security forces fired on the attackers as they launched their assault. Witnesses have described gun battles and explosions as the militants struck. | |
Troops were deployed into Khost to contain the assault and security forces were said to be searching the city for militants who may have escaped. | |
One report said that US forces were ambushed by insurgents as they responded to the incidents. | |
Khost violence | |
The provincial governor and Khost's mayor were unharmed in the incident but health officials have reported a number of injuries. | |
The province of Khost has witnessed frequent clashes between coalition forces and the Taleban | |
In recent months militants have carried out attacks targeting several locations simultaneously, a sign of their increasing sophistication, analysts say. | In recent months militants have carried out attacks targeting several locations simultaneously, a sign of their increasing sophistication, analysts say. |
The attacks came as the US replaced its top commander in Afghanistan. | |
Afghanistan was recently confirmed as the primary focus of US military operations. | Afghanistan was recently confirmed as the primary focus of US military operations. |
The US is sending 21,000 additional troops to the country, to join an existing force of 38,000. | The US is sending 21,000 additional troops to the country, to join an existing force of 38,000. |