Three killed as gunmen storm government office in Afghanistan

At least three people were killed and 11 wounded when gunmen opened fire in a government office in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Wednesday, an official source said.

"Two gunmen attacked the provincial Haj and religious affairs department at around 10 a.m. near the provincial governor's house. The clash between the attackers and the security forces left three people killed and 11 others injured," the source told Xinhua from provincial capital Lashkar Gah.

The attackers arrived in the area on two motorcycles, the source said.

Security forces have cordoned off the area.

The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital.

Among those killed were two policemen, the source said adding that the gunfight was still going on.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since mid-April when the militant group launched a yearly offensive against Afghan security forces.

The Taliban have urged civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centres regarded as legitimate targets by militants besides warning people not to support the government.