By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL (AA): Gunmen stormed a government building in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday and killed 43 people in a standoff with security forces lasting some eight hours.

One police officer was among those killed, while at least 20 other people were wounded, according to the Afghan Health Ministry.

The attack began in the afternoon following a suicide car bombing outside the Ministry of Public Works.

The attackers then stormed the building of the National Authority for Disabled People and Martyrs’ Families and took its employees hostage.

At least four militants, including the suicide bomber, were killed. Most of the dead and wounded were civilians, who have borne the brunt of the 17-year war.

Afghan soldiers intervened, and a roughly eight-hour siege ensued, during which the attackers were shot dead.

Najib Danish, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, announced after midnight that the siege had ended and security forces had managed to safely evacuate 357 government employees.

Earlier, police spokesman Basir Mujahed told Anadolu Agency that the attackers consisted of five terrorists and a suicide bomber.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

[Map of Afghanistan by Sanao]