BAGHDAD – An Iraqi army official says eight people have been killed in an attack on a government compound.

The assailants set off two car bombs outside a government compound in Baqouba 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. Gunmen then stormed the building and took hostages.

There were conflicting reports about whether the situation in Baqouba – once an al-Qaida stronghold – had been brought under control. It’s not known how many of the dead were attackers.

An Iraqi army officer, Col. Sabah al-Kuzi, said eight people had been killed and 10 wounded.

An official from the Diyala Operations Command said three gunmen were killed and one wounded but he had no information on other casualties.