File photo: VCG

QALA-E-NAW, Afghanistan, July 13 (Xinhua) -- At least three police officers and two assailants were killed and 16 people injured after Taliban gunmen seized a hotel and fired on nearby buildings in Qala-e-Naw, capital of Afghanistan's western province of Badghis on Saturday, a local official said.

"Four terrorists seized a hotel building at 12:40 p.m. local time in Chawk-e-Pista locality of Qala-e-Naw city. Afghan National Police reached the site shortly after the attackers started firing on nearby buildings and pedestrians," the official who declined to be named told Xinhua.

"Two assailants were shot and killed by police and one attacker wounded. Police forces were trying to arrest or shoot the remaining attacker," the source said.

The injured included 10 security personnel and six civilian passersby, he added.

Taliban militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since early April when the militant group launched its annual rebel offensive in different places of the country, claiming hundreds of lives including militants, security personnel and civilians.