1st LD: Taliban attacks gov't offices in southern Afghanistan

Casualties were feared after Taliban gunmen attacked government offices in Afghanistan's southern Gereshk district on Wednesday morning, sources said.

"Unknown number of militants arrived by a vehicle and seized a building near district administrative offices and the police station. They exchanged fire with security forces and targeted the buildings with small arms and grenades," a security source told Xinhua anonymously.

The attack started at around 7:00 a.m. local time in the key district located in northeastern of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, 555 km south of Afghan capital of Kabul.

"There is fear of possible causalities. So far, we have no more details, but we will try to get more information," district governor Mohammad Sharif told Xinhua by phone.

The security forces carried out a counter-attack and additional security forces were dispatched to the area, he said.

The streets were mainly deserted and people shut down shops shortly after the fighting in the district also known Nahri Sarraj.

"The militants also attacked several security checkpoints in outer parts of the district. They tried to take control of the buildings and overrun the district," the source said.

Taliban militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Helmand has seen increasing militancy over the past couple of months despite continued military operations there. Enditem