A NATO-led coalition office carrying out development work in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar came under an insurgent attack Thursday, police said.
"Several explosions were heard so far, as well as intense gunshots which are ongoing," a Kandahar police officer said on condition of anonymity, DPA reported.
A civilian and a soldier - both Afghans - were injured in the incident in Kandahar city, the official said.
A dpa reporter at the site heard sporadic gunshots as well two large explosions, believed to be of a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), in an ongoing firefight.
Between three and five insurgents were said to be attacking the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of the NATO-led ISAF forces in Kandahar city, officials said.
PRTs are joint military and civilian initiatives carrying out development and reconstruction work, helping to build the capacities of central government in Afghan provinces.
NATO's regional public affairs office confirmed multiple RPG explosions and small arms fire targeting the Kandahar reconstruction office, without giving any details.
Another ISAF official in Kandahar confirmed that one grenade had hit the PRT premises.
"We know of one Afghan civilian laborer and one Afghan army soldier injured in the attack," he said.
Kandahar police chief General Abdul Raziq said they acquired two three-wheelers and a minivan laden with explosives near the reconstruction team office.
"The area is sealed off and the explosives will be destroyed soon," he said.
In another incident, a suicide bomber detonated his vest outside a combat outpost in the Panjwai district of Kandahar, international coalition spokesman Justin Brockoff said.
"There was no pentration in the military base and no fatalities on soldiers in Panjwai," the spokesman said.
...