KANDAHAR – Afghan officials say two suicide attackers and two members of the security forces have been killed in a firefight inside the governor’s compound in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar.
Reports say the attackers – who were equipped with vests rigged with explosives, hand grenades and automatic rifles – were apparently able to slip through security checkpoints to enter the compound and exchange fire with security forces on April 28.
Officials said Governor Toryalai Weesa was not been harmed in the attack.
RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan said the fighting lasted about 30 minutes.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said Taliban fighters had carried out the attack.
Kandahar is the heartland of Taliban militants who have been fighting for the past decade to overthrow the U.S.-backed government of President Hamid Karzai.
Reports say the attackers – who were equipped with vests rigged with explosives, hand grenades and automatic rifles – were apparently able to slip through security checkpoints to enter the compound and exchange fire with security forces on April 28.
Officials said Governor Toryalai Weesa was not been harmed in the attack.
RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan said the fighting lasted about 30 minutes.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said Taliban fighters had carried out the attack.
Kandahar is the heartland of Taliban militants who have been fighting for the past decade to overthrow the U.S.-backed government of President Hamid Karzai.