Taliban onslaught rocks Kandahar

An armed attack is under way in Afghanistan against the office of the governor of southern Kandahar province.

Gunmen based in a shopping mall in Kandahar city are exchanging fire with security forces in governor Tooryalai Wesa’s compound in Kadahar city.

Explosions have been heard in the city, one near the compound.

The Taliban insurgency says it is behind the assault, with spokesman Yusuf Ahmadi claiming “heavy casualties have been inflicted on the enemy”.

A witness quoted by Reuters news agency said he could see black smoke rising near Mr Wesa’s compound. It was not immediately clear whether the governor was inside.

Mr Wesa’s spokesman, Zalmai Ayoubi, told Reuters from inside the compound: “The Taliban are attacking the governor’s compound and the fighting is still ongoing. Three civilians in the compound have been wounded but the governor’s staff are all fine.”

The Taliban announced the start of their “spring offensive” last week, saying they would increase attacks against foreign troops and Afghan government officials.

Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban and a hotbed of the insurgency, has been the focus of military operations by the Western-backed government over the past year.

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