HERAT, Afghanistan: Taliban attackers stormed a court and surrounding buildings in the far-western Afghan town of Farah on Wednesday, sparking a firefight with security forces, officials said.
Two of the attackers died when they detonated a car bomb at the gate of the provincial court building, two were shot by security forces and another man was still alive, according to police.
Agha Noor Kentos, police chief of Farah, said five police had been wounded but no details were available on any civilian casualties.
"At around 8:00 am (0330 GMT) five attackers riding in two military-style vehicles drove to the provincial court building, one (vehicle) detonated at the gate and three attackers entered the building," Kentos told AFP.
"One is still resisting and five security forces have been wounded. We don't know the number of civilian fatalities at this moment," he said, adding the target could have been the court or government buildings nearby.
Taliban militants fighting the US-backed central government immediately claimed they were behind the attack.
"Our fighters attacked several government buildings in Farah according to their planned tactic. They conducted the attack with small arms and grenades," the group said on its website.
Abdul Rahman Zhawandon, spokesman for the governor of Farah, said the area had been sealed off as firing continued.
"The attackers entered a provincial appeal court building, security forces have surrounded them, the exchange of fire continues," he said.
"Some attackers entered a Kabul Bank office attached to the court building." (AFP)
