The Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for the ongoing attack.

"There were two blasts at the deputy governor's office. One was detonated by a suicide bomber and the other was caused by an ANA (Afghan army) soldier shooting another suicide attacker," said army spokesman Hekmatullah Kuchi.

"The second suicide blast took place at Matiullah Khan's base, who is not wounded," said Kuchi, referring to a well-known militia commander in the area.

Public health ministry spokesman Kargar Noorughli told AFP that a policeman, a child and a male civilian had been killed in the suicide blast at the deputy governor's office, adding that the death toll was likely to rise.

"Three are killed and 20 injured," Noorughli said.

The militia commander and the deputy governor's offices are about one kilometre apart, said Kuchi. Earlier reports said the police chief's office had been targeted.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP that the attackers were from the insurgent group.

"Seven of our volunteers have attacked the deputy governor's office and Matiullah's base. The attack is ongoing. I have no details of casualties," said Ahmadi.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011