1 killed as militants attack government office in Afghanistan (Lead)

Jalalabad (Afghanistan) : One assailant was killed and 11 people were injured when an explosion and ensuing gunfire rocked a government office building in Afghanistan's Jalalabad city, officials said.

Two terrorists attacked provincial department of refugees and repatriation at afternoon in Police District 3 of the city when a meeting was underway in the building, Xinhua news agency reported citing government officials.

"One terrorist was killed and a counter-attack was ongoing to capture or eliminate the gunman who was exchanging fire with security forces at the building as of Tuesday evening," the statement read.

The director of the department together with other officials were rescued and shifted to a safe place but 11 people were injured following the explosion and firing. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The city, which is the capital of Nangarhar province, has been hit by series of terror attacks over the past couple of years.

On Saturday, two security guards and a driver were killed and eight people wounded after militants of Islamic State group attacked a midwifery training centre in Jalalabad.