Afghan forces end Khost siege

Afghan security forces have killed several Taliban fighters who barricaded themselves inside government buildings in the city of Khost after taking a number of people hostage, the interior ministry has said.At least 10 fighters wearing suicide vests and carrying AK-47s and grenades, had attacked the governor's office and the municipal headquarters in the provincial capital of southeastern Khost on Tuesday."Fortunately the operation is over now," Zmaray Bashari, an interior ministry spokesman, told. "The security forces, as a result of giant operations, overwhelmed and overcame all these attacks and all the bombers were either targeted by security forces or detonated during the exchange of fire," he said.Afghan forces, supported by the US military, battled the Taliban fighters for several hours before the siege was ended and the captives were freed."The capacity and efficiency of the security forces resulted in the rescue of all those who were taken hostage," Bashari said.