Afghan officials: Taliban launch complex attack on police

Afghan officials say Taliban insurgents have stormed a police headquarters in the capital of northern Baghlan province and that a gun battle is still taking place inside. Provincial council head Safder Mohsini said Sunday that the attack began with a large explosion outside the security headquarters.

He said police have taken casualties but was unable to provide an exact figure. A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a suicide bomber had used a Humvee packed with explosives.

The provincial governor's spokesman, Mahmood Haqmal, confirmed Sunday's attack on the police headquarters. The Taliban carry out near-daily attacks on Afghan forces even as peace efforts have accelerated to find an end to Afghanistan's nearly 18-year war.