A suicide bomber seeking to target the governor of Nimroz, Mohammad Qassim Khalid, was gunned down before reaching his target but three force members of the Islamic Emirate were injured as the explosive attached to the individual was detonated, officials said.

Khalid escaped the attack unhurt but three of his bodyguards were injured, according to the officials.

A TOLOnews’ reporter said that the provincial capital was stormed by security forces and intense security measures were taken following the attack which happened on Sunday afternoon.

“Before he blew himself up, he [attacker] was killed by firing of the Mujahideens [Islamic Emirate forces] and his explosives were detonated,” Khalid said.

The attack also raised concerns among the residents of the province.

They called on the security forces to increase efforts to provide better security.

“It was for two to three years that there was a calm situation. The people are worried now, the security must improve,” said Khairulah, a resident of Nimroz.

“They are away from humanity and Islam,” said Ghulam Dastageer, a resident of Nimroz.

The attacker crossed two security checkpoints and reached the building of the governor’s office, according to the security officials.

The attack happened around 1:00 PM when the employees left the office.

“Around 1:00 PM, an individual reached near the office and wanted to blow himself up and reach the governor, but was gunned down by the security forces. Then he blew himself up,” said Gul Mohammad Qudrat, a spokesman for the Nimroz department of security.

No group has so far claimed the attack.

Last year, the governor of Balkh was killed in a suicide bombing that occurred at his office.