This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22013106

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Attack rocks governor's compound in Farah, Afghanistan Militants storm court in Farah, Afghanistan
(about 1 hour later)
A fierce battle has been raging in the west Afghan city of Farah after gunmen reportedly attacked the governor's compound with a bomb-laden vehicle. A suicide bomb and gun attack on a courthouse in the west Afghan city of Farah has left at least six people dead and 70 injured.
At least 34 people have been wounded, the head of the local hospital told the BBC. No deaths have yet been officially confirmed. A bomb-laden vehicle exploded outside the provincial courthouse, in a busy area close to banks and shops.
Taliban insurgents told news agencies they were behind the attack. After a fierce initial gun battle, shooting continued as militants took cover in at least one building.
Government offices are frequently targeted by the Taliban. Farah is a strategic province bordering Iran. Taliban insurgents said they were behind the attack in the strategic province, which borders Iran.
A bomb and gun attack on the governor's compound, last May, left six policemen, a civilian and four attackers dead. A bomb and gun attack on the governor's compound last May left six policemen, a civilian and four attackers dead.
'Packed with civilians''Packed with civilians'
Eyewitnesses, including doctors in the city, said both sides were using machine-guns and grenades. In Wednesday's attack, it appears the militants struck while a trial of Taliban suspects was taking place inside the courthouse. An unconfirmed report by the Taliban said those on trial had been freed.
Mohammad Yunos, Farah's deputy governor, told a private Afghan TV channel by phone that militants had set off a "large explosive-laden vehicle at the western part of the governor's office". The vast majority of those wounded were civilians, officials say.
The resulting blast damaged high-rise buildings, including the governor's office, other government and non-government agencies, and two banks. Eyewitnesses, including doctors in the city, said both sides had used machine-guns and grenades.
Mohammad Yunus, Farah's deputy governor, told a private Afghan TV channel by phone that militants had set off a "large explosive-laden vehicle", damaging buildings including the governor's office, other government and non-government agencies, and two banks.
After the initial assault, he told Channel One TV, that gunmen took up position in "multi-storey buildings".After the initial assault, he told Channel One TV, that gunmen took up position in "multi-storey buildings".
"Currently the gunfire is getting less intense compared to the beginning when there was gunfire and explosions," he said.
Speaking to the BBC, a senior Afghan security source said: "First there was a suicide attack, later on a group of attackers started fighting."Speaking to the BBC, a senior Afghan security source said: "First there was a suicide attack, later on a group of attackers started fighting."
He also confirmed there had been fighting close to a court and a bank, both of which had been "packed with civilians".He also confirmed there had been fighting close to a court and a bank, both of which had been "packed with civilians".
Local shopkeeper, Sayed Jan, told the BBC: "I heard a huge bang and when I looked I saw several attackers armed with light and heavy weapons running towards the bank and the court. I left my shop. Local shopkeeper Sayed Jan told the BBC: "I heard a huge bang and when I looked I saw several attackers armed with light and heavy weapons running towards the bank and the court.
"There is blood and broken glass. There is a heavy exchange of gunfire and my shop has become a centre of the fighting.""There is blood and broken glass. There is a heavy exchange of gunfire and my shop has become a centre of the fighting."
Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf Ahmadi said the group had carried out a suicide attack on the governor's office at approximately 09:00 local time (04:30 GMT).Taliban spokesman Qari Yusuf Ahmadi said the group had carried out a suicide attack on the governor's office at approximately 09:00 local time (04:30 GMT).
Following the blast, gunmen entered several "government institutions", he was quoted as saying by the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency.Following the blast, gunmen entered several "government institutions", he was quoted as saying by the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency.