Afghan security forces engage in a fierce firefight at a bank in Helmand province -- captured by amateur video<br/> <br />...after suspected Taliban militants detonated a suicide bomb then stormed the bank branch while civilians were inside -- according to police.<br/> <br />A Kabul bank guard says his colleague was killed in the fighting.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) ANONYMOUS KABUL BANK GUARD SAYING:<br/> <br />"I was at the second gate of the Kabul bank when suddenly suicide attackers riding motorbikes entered the first gate. I tried to pick up my gun but they opened fire and entered the building. As a result of the gun fire my friend, who was a guard, was killed and I escaped from the area."<br/> <br />It wasn't immediately known how many people were inside the bank during the attack...<br/> <br />...but those who escaped said the bank was busy with government workers who had come to collect their salaries.
