JALALABAD, Afghanistan, July 31 (Xinhua) -- One assailant was killed and 11 people wounded when an explosion and ensuing gunfire rocked a government office building in Jalalabad, an eastern town in Afghanistan on Tuesday, the provincial government said.

Two terrorists attacked provincial department of refugees and repatriation at around midday in Police District 3 of the city when a meeting was underway at the building, the government said in a statement.

"One terrorist was killed and a counter-attack is ongoing to capture or eliminate the gunman who is exchanging fire with security forces at the building as of Tuesday evening," the statement read.

The director of the department together with other officials were rescued and shifted to a safe place but 11 people were injured following the explosion and firing.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The city, which is the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, has been hit by series of terror attacks over the past couple of years.

On Saturday, two security guards and a driver were killed and eight people wounded after militants of Islamic State (IS) group attacked a midwifery training center in Jalalabad.