Eight killed in Afghanistan skirmish

Kabul, May 15 (IANS) Eight people, including three security personnel and five militants, were killed Wednesday evening in a skirmish in southern Afghan province of Kandahar, police said.

"Five militants raided border police facilities in Spin Boldak district. Two militants set off their suicide jackets, while three militants were killed in police firing," Xinhua quoted police spokesperson Zia Durrani as saying.

He said that three security personnel were killed while five others got wounded as a result of exchange of the fire with the militants lasting for about three hours.

The Taliban has claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Taliban rebels started an annual spring offensive Monday. They urged civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centres regarded as the legitimate targets by militants besides warning people not to support the government and foreign troops.