Afghan security forces arrive at an area where explosions and gunshots were heard, in Jalalabad city, Afghanistan, July 31, 2018. (Reuters photo)
An hours-long attack on a government building in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday has ended, an official said, with at least 14 people wounded.
"Fighting is over and both attackers have been killed," said Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province.
Gunmen Tuesday stormed an Afghan government office in Jalalabad during a meeting with foreign aid agencies, killing at least one person in the latest of a series of assaults in the eastern city.
The attack targeted the compound of the refugees and repatriations department. It ended after more than five hours of intense fighting between militants and security forces, said Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province.
As the attack began with multiple explosions, local representatives of foreign donors and agencies were meeting department employees inside the building, Khogyani said.
"All the partner agency representatives attending the meeting were Afghans and those who were stuck inside, including the director of the refugees and repatriations department, were rescued," Khogyani said.
Several people were taken hostage by the attackers, said Zabiullah Zmarary, a provincial council member.
At least one person was killed and 14 were wounded, Khogyani said.
A Kabul-based spokesman for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations said "a number" of employees had been killed but gave no figure or details.
"I saw a black Corolla car drop three armed men at the gate of the refugees and repatriations department," a witness told AFP.
At least one of the men blew himself up at the gate and two others entered the building, the witness said.
Khogyani said the two attackers were killed.
Security forces swarmed into the area, and a plume of thick black smoke rose into the sky above the compound.
The Taliban denied involvement in the incident in a WhatsApp message sent to journalists.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which comes three days after militants raided a midwife training centre in Jalalabad.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack, which left at least three people dead and several wounded.
Jalalabad has been the scene of multiple attacks in recent months that have killed dozens, as US and Afghan forces continue offensives against militants.
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