Suicide bombers have attacked a district governor's office in eastern Afghanistan, killing three Afghan police officers.

A provincial government spokesperson says three attackers detonated their explosives outside the Samkani district center building in Paktia province Thursday, while two other militants tried to storm the building.

The attack sparked a gunbattle with police. Three officers were killed and at least two others were wounded in the fighting. Officials say the remaining attackers were killed.

Authorities say district officials and local elders were gathered inside to discuss next week's “loya jirga” or traditional assembly in Kabul.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for Thursday's assault. The insurgent group has said it will target anyone involved in the jirga.

In southern Afghanistan, police say a car bomb exploded near a NATO convoy, killing two Afghan civilians in the capital of Helmand province, Lashkar Gah.

Next Wednesday , tribal elders from throughout Afghanistan will meet in the Afghan capital to discuss the peace process with the Taliban, and a proposed strategic security agreement with the United States.

U.S. combat troops are set to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. International forces have already begun transferring security responsibility to their Afghan counterparts.

Thursday's assault in Paktia province was the latest in a series of recent attacks in Afghanistan.