Gunmen storm Afghan provincial attorney's office, four killed

At least four people were killed and several others wounded when gunmen attacked the provincial appellate attorney's office building in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of the northern Afghan province of Balkh on Thursday, an official source said.

"We still cannot provide precise details on casualties. The exchange of gunfire is still going on as security forces are battling the attackers," the source said, adding that details would be revealed to public later on the day.

A number of people dressed in military uniforms launched the attack, which occurred at around 11.30 a.m., the source told Xinhua news agency.

"They arrived at the front gate in a vehicle and opened fire on police guarding the building. Some of the attackers succeeded in entering the building where dozens of visitors and officials were present," he added.

 

Unofficial sources said at least four people, including one policeman, were killed and 20 others wounded in the attack.

Special operation forces arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting started.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The Taliban militant group has intensified attacks over the past couple of months as the Afghan security forces assumed full security responsibility in the country from NATO-led troops since January 1.

Earlier on Thursday, 10 civilians sustained injuries in a bomb attack in eastern Khost province.