At Least Three Police Killed In Afghan Suicide Attack

Afghan officials say at least three police officers have been killed in an attack against a government official's office in eastern Paktia province.

Paktia provincial spokesman Ruhollah Samoon said five suicide bombers attacked a compound in the Zumat district.

Samoon said three suicide bombers blew themselves up at the entrance, and police killed two others as they tried to enter the compound.

The spokesman said the attack targeted a meeting between the district governor and local elders discussing a loya jirga assembly to be held in Kabul next week.

The loya jirga, called by President Hamid Karzai, will discuss a strategy for trying to make peace with the Taliban and Afghanistan's long-term relationship with the United States.

The Taliban have threatened to kill anyone participating in the traditional assembly.

compiled from agency reports