1st LD: Explosion, gunfire rock southern Afghan district

An explosion and gunfight rocked near a police station in Afghanistan's southern town of Spin Boldak on Monday, with unknown casualties, sources said.

"The clash erupted at around midday after gunmen armed with suicide vests and weapons stormed a police station in the district bordering Pakistan," a security source told Xinhua.

There was fear of casualties on the side of security forces, the source said on condition of anonymity.

"I do confirm that a clash took place in Spin Boldak district. The security forces are trying to verify the incident. So far, we have no more details, but we will try to get more information," provincial government spokesman Samim Khpalwak told Xinhua.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban militant group has launched similar attacks in the past.

"The nature of the blast looked like a complex group attack by the militants. The attackers started a gunfight with security forces shortly after they arrived aboard a vehicle at the site. At least three attackers were involved in the clash," a witness said. Enditem