Seven killed as gunmen storm government office in Afghanistan

At least seven people were killed and seven wounded when gunmen opened fire in a government office in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Wednesday, an official source said.

Two gunmen attacked the Haj and religious affairs department in provincial capital lashkar Gah at around 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday which is located near the governor's house. The clash between attackers and the security forces lasted for three hours, according to security officials.

Seven people were killed while seven were wounded in the shooting, an official source said. Further details about the shooting are still forthcoming amid the absence of an official statement. 

"Seven were killed and seven wounded were admitted to lashkar Gah hospitals earlier on Wednesday," a health official told Xinhua news agency. The attackers arrived in the area on two motorcycles, the source said. They also fired at the provincial government office building.

Security forces have cordoned off the area as a precautionary measure. Those killed include three policemen and four civilians, the health official added. An earlier Xinhua report, citing an official source, said that three people were killed and 11 injured in the incident. 

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since mid-April when the militant group launched a yearly offensive against Afghan security forces. The Taliban have urged civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centres regarded as legitimate targets by militants besides warning people not to support the government.