Attackers Target Bank In Afghanistan's Helmand Province

December 17, 2014

Suicide bombers stormed a bank in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand on December 17, at least 10 people -- including a minimum of three policemen.

Medical workers say 15 people were also injured by the attack in Helmand’s provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

Authorities say the attack began when a Taliban suicide bomber detonated his explosives-filled vest at the entrance of a branch of Kabul Bank.

Helmand police spokesman Farid Ahmad Obaid said at least three other Taliban fighters with suicide vests stormed into the building after the initial blast.

They fought a gun battle with Afghan security forces that continued for several hours before the militants were killed.

Two civilians were injured by a remote-controlled bomb triggered during the clash as ambulances arrived to take victims to hospital.

Bank employees who escaped said several government workers were inside to collect their salaries at the time of the attack.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa