KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and international forces repelled an insurgent attack on an Afghan National Civil Order Police headquarters in Kandahar city yesterday.

Insurgents attacked the headquarters perimeter with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device followed by small-arms, rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire.

Afghan National Civil Order Police and international forces secured the headquarters and prevented insurgents from penetrating the compound perimeter while additional Afghan and ISAF forces reinforced the headquarters' defences and successfully repelled the attack.

Three ISAF service members and five civilian workers were killed as a result of the attack. It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

This is the third time in three days that insurgent attacks have been repelled by Afghan and ISAF forces according to ISAF records. On Monday Afghan forces repelled an insurgent attack on the funeral procession for Mohammad Riza, the former head prosecutor for Khwajai Omari district, who was murdered by insurgents in Ghazni province. Afghan forces repelled this attack, killing several insurgents.

On Tuesday, insurgents attached the village of Aalai Shahea, Ghazni province but were met with effective resistance by Afghan security forces and the insurgents fled the scene.

"Afghan security forces are gaining ground." said Navy Capt. Jane Campbell, ISAF Joint Command spokesperson. We commend the actions of those courageous service members who stood their ground and helped repel the insurgent attacks."