Blast, gunfire near police HQ in Afghan city: official

KANDAHAR:  There was an explosion and gunfire near police headquarters in the strategically important southern Afghan city of Kandahar Saturday, an official said.Zalmai Ayubi, a spokesman for the Kandahar governor, said shots had been fired on the police office from a building nearby. He added that there had also been an explosion near police headquarters but could not give further details.

Kandahar is a traditional Taliban heartland which is hit by frequent instability despite an influx of foreign troops in a major operation against militants in recent months.