Afghan bombers killed in street fight
Up to nine would-be suicide bombers died in street battles today after militants attacked the provincial governor's compound in Zaranj, in western Afghanistan's Nimroz province on the Iranian border.
The Taliban claimed responsibilty for the attack, in which the bombers were disguised as policemen.
A female provincial council leader, Gul Maki Wakhali, was killed in the crossfire during the hour-long fight. At least two policemen and one other civilian died and 10 officers were wounded.
"The fighting was very serious and they tried to enter [the compound]," said the governor, Gulam Dastagar Ezad.
Afghan MP Sadeq Chakhansori, who was in Nimroz for a meeting, said: "It was very heavy fighting. Very bad conditions."
President Hamid Karzai's office said eight attackers blew themselves up and one was killed by police. Officers also found and defused a car packed with explosives near the compound.
The Taliban said the council was trying to turn Afghans against the militants.
The area is a major trafficking route for the opium trade. Insurgents fled into Nimroz province this year when thousands of US, Nato and Afghan troops conducted an offensive to rout the Taliban from neighbouring Helmand.
