Taliban attack kills five Afghan police, injures 15

At least three suicide bombers and five police officers have died in an attack on a police compound in the Paktia province in eastern Afghanistan.

Afghan security officials inspect the scene of a suicide bomb attack that targeted police headquarters in Paktia, Afghanistan, 18 June 2017. Source: AAP

At least three suicide bombers and five police have died in an attack on a police headquarters in eastern Afghanistan.

Sunday's attack, claimed by the Taliban, began when one bomber detonated a car packed with explosives at the gate of the police headquarters in Gardez city, capital of Paktia province, said Najib Danish, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.

Four more attackers stormed the gate after the blast, with at least two quickly killed by police. The others held out against Afghan special forces that had responded to the attack, he said.

Deputy governor of the province Abdul Wali Sahi confirmed that five police officers were killed and 15 people were injured, including civilians.

Doctors at the city hospital said they had received the bodies of at least five police, as well as at least 30 wounded people, including 20 civilians.

Security forces are deployed as the site of suicide attacks and an ongoing clash between Taliban insurgents and government forces (AAP) Source: AAP

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reporting more than 100 police were killed and wounded. The Islamist group often exaggerates casualty numbers in attacks against government targets and security forces.

Insurgent groups like the Taliban and Islamic State have launched a string of attacks across Afghanistan in recent weeks.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a mosque in Kabul on Thursday.

A massive truck bombing and later suicide attacks left hundreds dead and wounded at the end of May and beginning of June, raising political tensions for the Afghan government, which is struggling to combat rising violence and corruption.

Thousands of international troops remain in the country to train and assist Afghan security forces as well as carry out counter-terrorism missions.