KANDAHAR, Afghanistan â€"  Afghan security forces killed two would-be suicide attackers who entered the provincial governor's compound in the southern city of Kandahar on Saturday, an official said.

Parwiz Najib, the director of the Kandahar governor's media office, said two of the governor's bodyguards were killed and one wounded in an exchange of gunfire with the attackers, who were equipped with explosive-rigged suicide vests, hand grenades and automatic rifles.

Najib said the attackers were attempting to reach the governor's office inside the compound when the governor's bodyguards identified them, sparking the gunbattle.

Najib said the attack was over and the governor was unharmed.