"Taliban insurgents stormed some government departments including governor house in Kandahar city at 01:00 p.m. local time today but security forces retaliation left six suicide bombers dead," Tooryali Weesa told a press conference here.
Two persons including a policeman were killed and 29 others sustained injuries, he added.
Among those sustained injuries there are 10 security personnel including policemen and 19 civilians, the governor further added.
Two car bombs also went off in the city, he stated.
He also admitted that the Taliban fighters targeted Governor House, Police department, Municipality and intelligence department in Kandahar city, the capital of Kandahar province.
However, he noted that the situation after hours of gun battle has been brought under control.
Meantime, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit in talks with media via telephone from undisclosed location, claimed of responsibility, saying several insurgents including suicide bombers raided government departments and inflicted huge casualties.
Taliban militants who have been fighting Afghan and NATO-led troops in a surprise move excavated a 320-meters long tunnel in Kandahar prison and facilitated more than 500 inmates to escape weeks ago.
A former stronghold of Taliban militants, Kandahar has been the scene of increasing militancy over the past few years.
(U.H-AK)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
