2nd LD Writethru: 3 killed as gunmen storm gov't office in Southern Afghanistan

Some seven people were killed while seven others were wounded in a shooting in Lashkar Gah, the capital city of southern Afghanistan's province of Helmand on Wednesday, an official source said.

Two gunmen attacked the provincial Hajj and Religious Affairs Department at around 10:00 a.m. (local time) Wednesday which is located near the provincial governor's house. The clash between attackers and the security forces lasted for three hours, according to security officials.

Further details about the shooting are still forthcoming amid the absence of official statement.

"Seven were killed and seven wounded were admitted to Lashkar Gah hospitals earlier on Wednesday," a health official told Xinhua anonymously.

The attackers arrived at the area in two motorcycles, the source said. They also fired on provincial government office building.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

The killed included three policemen and four civilians, the health official added.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since mid-April when the militant group launched a yearly rebel offensive against Afghan security forces.

The Taliban urged civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centers regarded as the legitimate targets by militants besides warning people not to support the government. Endi