Kabul, May 07: At least three explosions have been heard in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province, as militants took positions in a market to shoot towards the governor office, officials said.
“Small arms fire is still going on. Two RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) have been fired onto the building so far. The northern and eastern sides of the compound are under direct attack,” AFP quoted Zalmay Ayubi, a provincial spokesman as saying on Saturday.
Ayubi added that several people have been injured but no fatalities have been reported.
Heavy gunfire near the heavily guarded compound of the governor in Kandahar province was reportedly continuing.
Kandahar is known as the birthplace of the Taliban with the city and its surrounding areas frequently experiencing serious violence.
Taliban militants in Afghanistan warned two weeks ago of a fresh offensive, vowing to target top officials of President Hamid Karzai’s government, as well as heads of foreign and local companies working with NATO.
Taliban issued a statement on Friday saying the claimed killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden will only intensify their fight against the “occupiers” in Afghanistan.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan believes that the martyrdom of Sheikh Osama … will blow a new spirit into the jihad against the occupiers,” the statement said.
NATO has claimed that the security situation in Kandahar and its vicinity has improved following months of fighting to flush out Taliban militants from the area.
However, security has deteriorated after 500 Taliban prisoners escaped from Kandahar’s prison last month.
—-Agencies