Afghan official: Suicide attackers hit southern town close to NATO offensive, battle ongoing

Police battle gunmen in southern Afghan town

KABUL — Would-be suicide attackers hit at least two locations in a southern Afghanistan city and a gunbattle was ongoing Wednesday morning, an official said.

The attacks in Lashkar Gah targeted a government office and a charity that help farmers, said Dawood Ahmadi, spokesman for the government in Helmand province.

He said there was at least one explosion, but did not have information on casualties. He said security forces fought the attackers at one location.

Lashkar Gah is the closest major town to Marjah, where thousands of NATO troops have been fighting to oust the Taliban from their largest stronghold and operational hub in Helmand province.