Afghanistan: 3 security officials killed in Taliban attack in Paktia

Police told Tolo News that the attack started at 5 am local time with a car bomb and was followed by a brief gunbattle, ending when the two attackers were killed by security forces.

The attack reportedly left five security officials wounded.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

"A few minutes ago, a bomb exploded in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province. Auxiliary forces have arrived in the area," provincial spokesman Abdul Rahman Mangal confirmed to Sputnik.

Governor of Paktia Province Mohammad Halim Fidai said in a statement to Sputnik that at least six servicemen of the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF) were injured.

"The first blast occurred at 0530 hrs [01:30 GMT on Tuesday] … Security forces cleared the area and two suicide bombers were killed. So far, six members of the public protection force have been injured," Fidai said.  

The security situation in Afghanistan remains tense. In August, the Kabul administration agreed to free the remaining 400 Taliban prisoners, which is expected to pave the way for intra-Afghan talks under the US-Taliban peace deal.