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KABUL (PAN): Three militants were killed and as many policemen injured in a four-hour clash that erupted in the heart of Kabul on Wednesday, a day ahead of key presidential and provincial council elections.

A group of assailants entered a building of Pashtani Trade Bank and started firing at police in the Seraji area of Kabul, two kilometers from the heavily-fortified Presidential Palace.

Eyewitnesses said the clash that came on Afghanistan's Independence Day started at 6am and the scene in Kabul's old city was surrounded by security forces.

Kabul police crime branch chief, Abdul Ghaffar Syedzada, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants stopped resisting at 10am. He added three attackers -- aged between 25 and 30 years -- wearing suicide vests were killed in the clash.

Salahuddin Ayubi, a sub-commander of the Jalaluddin Haqqani network, claimed responsibility for the attack. He said two police vehicles were destroyed in the assault.

About two years ago, militants attacked a Mujahiddin Independence Day during a celebration ceremony in the area.

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