Afghanistan Troops Clash with Taliban in Gardez

Armed Taliban militants, wearing suicide vests, have attacked a building in eastern Afghanistan, sparking a clash with police, officials said. The attack took place in Gardez town, capital of Paktia province, at about 9am (0430GMT), an official said.Firing can be heard in the heart of the town and the assault is continuing. At least two militants have been killed. Eastern Afghanistan is one of the worst flash points of violence in the Taliban-led insurgency. Correspondents say coordinated gun and suicide attacks, usually targeting Afghan government officials and security installations, have become increasingly frequent. At least five militants seized a building near police headquarters in Gardez, and began firing at security forces as they surrounded the building, reports quoting officials said. Troops have cornered the fighters in a market, a spokesman for the governor of Paktia province, Rohullah Samoon, said. The Taliban said they had carried out the assault, which was still continuing at midday.Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told the Associated Press that the five attackers were targeting the police station. He said all were wearing suicide vests and were armed with rocket-propelled grenades. In July, gunmen and suicide bombers targeted four sites in the city of Gardez, among them the governor's compound.