In Afghanistan, at least 35 construction workers were killed on Thursday when Taliban militants attacked a road construction company in the south-eastern province of Paktia.

Provincial governor spokesman Ruhollah Samoon said among those killed were labourers, security guards and engineers while at least 20 other workers were injured in the pre-dawn assault in Wazi Zadran district. He said the gun-battle lasted for five hours and eight Taliban militants were also believed to have been killed as the private security forces guarding the compound fought back.

The spokesman identified the company as an Afghan construction firm that is building a 35-kilometre road in the province. It is thought to be the highest single death toll in a Taliban attack since the militants struck at a bank in Jalalabad in February, killing 38 people.