At least eighteen people including three assailants were killed and at least fifteen others sustained injuries as the standoff ended in Jalalabad city, the provincial capital of eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

The provincial government media office in a statement said the attack was launched at around 12pm local time on the provincial Refugees directorate in the vicinity of the third police district of the city.

The statement further added that the attack was launched at a time when a meeting was underway to explore ways to assist with the internally displaced families and those who have repatriated to Afghanistan.

According to the provincial government, a group of three militants launched the attack with one of them initially detonating a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near the compound and two others resisting the security forces for at least five hours.

At least fifteen people including a policeman and woman lost their lives in the attack, three assaialants were killed and at least fifteen others sustained injuries, the provincial government added.

The governor’s office in its statement also added that nine of the wounded individuals were discharged after receiving first medical aid and information the identities of thirteen others will be disclosed later.

No individual or group has so far claimed responsibility behind the attack.