Suicide Attack Kills Two Inside Afghan Defense Ministry Compound

A military spokesman says at least two soldiers have been killed and seven injured in an attack inside Afghanistan's Defense Ministry compound.

A military spokesman said a man wearing an army uniform and carrying an explosives vest opened fire inside the ministry compound, killing two soldiers and wounding seven.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was carried out by several insurgents.

The Taliban spokesman said the attack was planned to coincide with the visit of French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet -- who the insurgents believed was meeting officials inside the ministry compound.

French officials said Longuet was not inside the compound at the time of the attack.

On April 16, a suicide bomber who was described by the Taliban as a sleeper agent and who was reportedly dressed in an army uniform killed nine Afghan and international soldiers outside a military base near Jalalabad.

compiled from agency reports