44 killed in 9-hour firefight at Afghan government buildings April 3, 2013 -- Updated 1544 GMT (2344 HKT) Militants are dressed like government soldiers Insurgents began the attack with explosives At least 44 people were killed in nine-hour firefight Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Insurgents wearing Afghan National Army uniforms killed at least 44 people and wounded nearly 100 others Wednesday in a nearly nine-hour attack on Afghan government buildings in the southwestern province of Farah, said Mohammad Akram Ekhpelwak, the province's governor. The firefight has ended. Of the dead, 34 are civilians and 10 are Afghan security forces, according to Ekhpelwak. Nine armed attackers are dead, he added. The attackers drove army vehicles to gain access to the area, said police chief Noor Agha Kantoz. Afghanistan: 52 Taliban members killed in one day The militants began their attack by detonating a vehicle laden with explosives, said Abdul Rahman Ezhwandai, a spokesman for the governor. Soldiers from the Afghan National Army engaged the enemy, killing at least two, he said. They continue to battle fighters who have taken cover in the courthouse.