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Armed militants clash with police in Kabul

2009-08-19 14:36 BJT

Special Report: Afghan presidential election |

KABUL, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Several armed militants stormed a building in Afghan capital Kabul Wednesday morning and clashed with police a day ahead of the national elections in Afghanistan.

Gunfire erupted as police lauched operation against the armed militants who broke into a bank building at 07:00 a.m. local time (GMT0230), Interior Mministry Zamarai Bashari said, who put the number of the militants at three or four.

Bashari told private television channel Tolo the intruders entered the building of Pashtany Bank and police so far have cleared two floors while the operation is continuing.

However, it is not known the intruders are Taliban insurgents or robbers.

The incident occurred while Afghans are preparing to go to polling station on Thursday to elect their president.

Since last Saturday, Kabul has been experiencing deadly suicide blasts and rocket attacks which have left 14 civilians dead and over 140 others injured.

Taliban militants who called on Afghans to boycott the elections have vowed to disrupt the voting process.

Editor: Zhang Pengfei | Source: Xinhua