Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2017 shows Afghan security forces members inspecting a clash site in Gereshk district of southern Afghan province of Helmand. Casualties were feared after Taliban fighters seized a building and attacked a nearby security forces' base in Gereshk district of southern Afghan province of Helmand on Friday, a local official said. (Xinhua/Abdul Aziz Safdari)
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Casualties were feared after Taliban fighters seized a building and attacked a nearby security forces' base in Gereshk district of southern Afghan province of Helmand on Friday, a local official said.
Four men armed with guns and suicide jackets stormed a five-story building which is home to money exchange shops in a district bazaar. They fired on nearby security forces' military base shortly after holding the complex in early hours of the morning, provincial government spokesman Omar Zwak told Xinhua.
He said security forces sealed off the area and were responding to the situation.
The shops in the building were closed when the attack occurred as Friday is weekly off day in the country.
"We still cannot provide details on causalities. There is fear of possible causalities," he said, adding details about the incident will be shared with media later in the day.
The province with Lashkar Gah as its capital, 555 km south of Kabul, is notorious for poppy growing and known as a Taliban stronghold.
