A fighter detonated a explosives laden vehicle at the entrance of a district headquarters in Paktia's Zurmat district on Monday, leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire between the Taliban and security officials which resulted in three of the other fighters being killed.
At least eight other people, including four police officers, two intelligence staff and two civilians were killed in the attack, police said. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Al Jazeera's Jennifer Glasse, reporting from Kabul, said Afghan security officals have faced a resurgent Taliban, with an average of 18 Afghans killed every day this year.
Also on Monday, two small bombs exploded in the capital Kabul, despite much of the city under a security lockdown, no injuries were reported.