Taliban suicide bombers killed at least five policemen in Afghanistan's restive east on Tuesday, officials said, in a three-hour attack that coincided with a visit to the country by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

The pre-dawn attack on a police compound in Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan's largest city, came as the country braces for the start of the spring fighting season in the 11th year of war.

One attacker detonated an explosive-laden car at the entrance to the Afghan National Police compound in an attempt to let other attackers inside, provincial police chief Amin Sharif said.

"Three suicide bombers triggered their explosive vests and five were shot dead," he said, adding that five policemen were killed and four wounded.

He said the attackers were armed with rocket-propelled grenades and light machineguns, sparking a battle with Afghan security forces. Six civilians were wounded.

Reuters

(China Daily 03/27/2013 page10)