26 Jul 2009

Govt buildings attacked by Taliban

10:55 am on 26 July 2009

Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen in Afghanistan have attacked government and police buildings in the south-eastern city of Khost, near the Pakistani border.

Suicide bombers, backed by others armed with machine guns and rocket grenades, attacked the main police station and nearby buildings on Saturday.

Officials say 14 civilians and three police officers were wounded.

The BBC reports there has been a rise in attacks ahead of a presidential election due to be held on 20 August.

In May, six people were killed in simultaneous assaults on government buildings in Khost.

At least four security personnel were killed in attacks on Gardez, about 80km northwest of Khost in the neighbouring Paktia province on Tuesday.

Another attack was made in the eastern city of Jalalabad the same day.

The head of the United States Central Command, General David Petraeus, says it shows the Taliban are not interested in negotiating before the elections.