2nd LD Writethru: 7 killed in attack near Pakistani consulate in eastern Afghan town

At least seven people, including four police personnel, were killed in an attack near the Pakistani consulate in eastern Afghan town of Jalalabad on Wednesday, sources and witnesses said.

Three gunmen were involved in the attack that started at around 8:50 a.m. local time (0420 GMT) in the third police district of the city, a security source told Xinhua.

"One attacker approached a running police vehicle and blew his suicide jacket up, causing four policemen aboard the car and two civilian passersby killed," the source said.

"The second squad of the attackers seized a one-story building near the Pakistani consulate office and exchanged fire with security forces. The sporadic gun firing is still going on there at around midday."

The attackers also opened fire and launched rocket-propelled grenades on the nearby buildings, including the Pakistani consulate, according to witnesses and unofficial sources.

The area is also home to a private high school, provincial official houses and an Indian and Iranian consulate buildings.

"Some 11 injured people have been admitted to hospitals in Jalalabad after Wednesday morning's attack. One local staff of the Pakistan diplomatic mission was among the injured," a provincial health official told Xinhua, adding the number of causalities could go up as fighting was still going on in the capital of eastern Nangarhar province.

Security forces cordoned off the area shortly after the blast.

The explosion also damaged several nearby buildings and vehicles.

So far, no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. Enditem