Afghan security forces stormed a bank branch besieged by insurgents in Helmand province Wednesday, ending a deadly attack, police said.
Five civilians, one police officer and two army soldiers were killed, said Farid Ahmad Obaid, a spokesman for the police chief of southern Helmand province.
Fourteen others, nine civilians among them, were wounded, Obaid said. He warned that the death toll could go up since at least one of those injured was in a critical condition
All the attackers were killed in the operation to end the siege, Obaid said.
Four armed insurgents attacked the Kabul Bank office in the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah shortly before noon, he said.
The first attacker, who was riding a motorbike, blew himself up outside the bank branch, while three others stormed inside the building, he said.
Obaid said the gun battle between the Afghan security forces and the assailants lasted about 90 minutes before the militants were killed.
The continuing violence comes as Afghan security forces prepare to take on greater responsibility for ensuring the country’s security as international forces transition to a supporting role.