KHOST: Afghan troops shot dead three would-be suicide bombers who attempted to enter an office in an eastern city on Sunday to launch attacks on government targets, officials said.
The heavily armed insurgents had explosives strapped to their chests and were killed in a 10-minute gunfight with Afghan troops outside the mayor's office in Gardez, Paktia province, said Rohullah Samon, a spokesman for the provincial governor.
The insurgents arrived in a car laden with explosives, which were detonated during the gunbattle, without causing injury, Samon said, adding that one state employee was killed in the crossfire.
They had planned to use the office as a stage post to launch attacks on the governor's compound and other key buildings in the city from an elevated position, he said.
Insurgents fighting Afghan and foreign forces have previously used half-built high rises or poorly guarded buildings to stage big attacks on government targets.
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