Kandahar, July 10 (RHC)-- At least 17 people have been killed following an attack on a government building in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar, an official says. Four civilians and two policemen were among those who died during the Wednesday attack, according to Kandahar provincial spokesman, Dawa Khan Menapal.

According to reports, two of the bombers detonated their explosives, and the rest of the attackers opened fire on the security forces. The incident marks the latest in a series of attacks in war-torn Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, a blast killed four NATO troopers, two Afghan policemen and ten civilians in the province of Parwan near the Bagram Air Base. Over 50 U.S.-led foreign troops, mostly Americans, have died in Afghanistan so far this year.

The Taliban militants have stepped up their attacks against the government and foreign forces as part of their annual summer offensive. The Taliban has vowed to increase attacks on Afghan forces and U.S.-led troops, their bases, diplomatic missions and vehicle convoys before the drawdown of the U.S.-led mission by the end of the year.