Taliban militants have launched an attack near the U.S. Consulate in the western Afghan city of Herat.
Deputy provincial police chief Abdul Hamid Hamidi told RFE/RL that two members of the Afghan security forces and an interpreter were killed, as were nine of the attackers.
A spokesman for the U.S. Consulate said all of its personnel were safe.
The local governor of Herat Province told RFE/RL that a suicide car bomber detonated his explosives about 60 meters from the compound, before other militants opened fire on security forces in the area.
Qari Yousef Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Taliban, said the militant group was behind the attack.
An hour after the assault began, Afghan police said the situation had been brought under control and security forces were searching the area for militants.
Afghan police said U.S. Special Forces had entered the area to secure the U.S. compound.
Deputy provincial police chief Abdul Hamid Hamidi told RFE/RL that two members of the Afghan security forces and an interpreter were killed, as were nine of the attackers.
A spokesman for the U.S. Consulate said all of its personnel were safe.
The local governor of Herat Province told RFE/RL that a suicide car bomber detonated his explosives about 60 meters from the compound, before other militants opened fire on security forces in the area.
Qari Yousef Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Taliban, said the militant group was behind the attack.
An hour after the assault began, Afghan police said the situation had been brought under control and security forces were searching the area for militants.
Afghan police said U.S. Special Forces had entered the area to secure the U.S. compound.