Gunmen storm Afghan govt office; 11 die in bus bombing

Jalalabad (Afghanistan): Gunmen on Tuesday stormed an Afghan government office in Jalalabad during a meeting with foreign aid agencies, killing at least one person in the latest of a series of assaults in the eastern city.

On the other side of the country a roadside bomb apparently intended for security forces hit a passenger bus and killed at least 11 people, as civilians once again bear the brunt of violence in Afghanistan.

The attack in Jalalabad targeted the compound of the refugees and repatriations department. It ended after more than five hours of intense fighting between militants and security forces, said Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province.

As the attack began with multiple explosions, local representatives of foreign donors and agencies were meeting department employees inside the building, Khogyani said.

"All the partner agency representatives attending the meeting were Afghans and those who were stuck inside, including the director of the refugees and repatriations department, were rescued," Khogyani said.

Several people were taken hostage by the attackers, said Zabiullah Zmarary, a provincial council member.

At least one person was killed and 14 were wounded, Khogyani said.

A Kabul-based spokesman for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations said "a number" of employees had been killed but gave no figure or details.

"I saw a black Corolla car drop three armed men at the gate of the refugees and repatriations department," a witness said.