Top Afghan police chief ‘killed’

A large explosion has hit the compound of the governor of Takhar province in northern Afghanistan, reports say.

Initial reports suggest Western and Afghan troops are among the casualties, a Nato spokesman told Reuters news agency.

Some reports suggest a senior police commander has been killed, but there is no confirmation.

Afghanistan has seen a series of attacks in recent months by militants on police and military targets.

The Taliban have recently declared a “spring offensive” of attacks against security forces across the country.

The latest attack occurred while officials in the governor’s compound were having a meeting, a police spokesman told AP news agency.

An interior ministry official said the perpetrator was a suicide bomber, but this has not been confirmed.

“We are aware of reports there has been an attack at the governor’s palace in Taloqan, Takhar province,” said Major Tim James, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Kabul.

“Initial reports indicate there have been a number of Isaf and ANSF (Afghan National Security Force) casualties.”

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