Afghan policemen keep watch at the site of a suicide blast. — Photo by Reuters

KANDAHAR: A gunbattle between Afghan police and insurgents in the city of Kandahar on Wednesday killed at least four police and wounded three others, government and hospital officials said.

Kandahar provincial spokesman Zalmai Ayubi said the gunfight began at 8:30 am and was still ongoing more than an hour later, with a district police chief among those killed in the southern city.

“The 1st police district of Kandahar came under attack an hour ago by unknown gunmen. So far the police chief of 1st district has been killed and a number of other policemen are dead or injured,” said Ayubi.

A doctor at Kandahar's Mirwais hospital said it had received four dead and three wounded.

“All are policemen,” said Sardar Wali.

Local residents said the area had been sealed off by foreign forces and Afghan police since late Tuesday and shops were unable to open.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...