Taliban suicide attack on Afghan police station kills 11

2014-03-20 624

This is all that remains of an Afghanistan police station in Jalalabad after a suicide bomb attack.

Gun fire could be heard for as long as three hours, as fighting continued after the initial explosion.....Bullet holes can be seen in what remains of nearby buildings.

Several people were killed here at the police post, close to compounds used by international agencies, such as the UN.

(SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) NANGARHAR POLICE CHIEF, FAZEL AHMAD SHIRZAD SAYING:

"A car bomb exploded at the gate of the police station. Following the explosion, the suicide bombers were trying to enter the compound while the Afghan police forces resisted and managed to kill all seven bombers in heavy clashes. Unfortunately 10 of the police officers were martyred during the clashes."

The NATO-led force in Afghanistan sent helicopter gunships to support Afghan security forces.

Scores of wounded were taken to hospital.

The Taliban sent a text message to media claiming respo