Hundreds of rebels in a convoy of trucks have attacked a police headquarters in southeast Afghanistan, killing 22 people, officials said.
The fierce fighting in Paktika province began when about 400 guerrillas drove across the border from Pakistan and attacked the police headquarters in the province's Barmal district, 125 miles south-east of Kabul, said provincial Governor Mohammed Ali Jalali.
About 15 to 20 Afghan police officers were in the compound at the time and seven of them - including the district police chief - were killed, Mr Jalali said.
He said between 15 to 20 guerrillas were also killed. The attackers retreated with the bodies.
It was unclear why the attackers retreated, but Mr Jalali said they likely did so because by daylight, word of the attack would have been passed on to the US-led coalition.
Coalition forces have massive air power at their disposal and routinely use it when insurgent positions are identified.
Jalali said the insurgents responsible for the attack included Taliban and fighters loyal to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former prime minister who heads Hezb-e-Islami, a faction which has called for attacks against foreigners in Afghanistan. He also blamed Pakistan's intelligence service for playing a role in organising the assault.
PA