A suicide bomber has blown himself up inside an Afghan ministry in Kabul, causing a number of casualties.
A suicide bomber has blown himself up inside an Afghan ministry in Kabul, killing at least three people.
The attack took place at the information and culture ministry, in the centre of the capital, causing massive damage.
Many more people were wounded in the attack, which took place at the information and culture ministry, in the centre of the capital.
The police say that at least five people are known to have been killed or injured in the attack.
The building was badly damaged, with broken glass and office equipment scattered over the area.
Security around ministry buildings in Kabul is usually very tight and attacks such as this are not common.
Security around ministry buildings in Kabul is usually very tight and attacks such as this are not common.
The Taleban have claimed responsibility for the attack in statements to news agencies.
The Taleban have claimed responsibility for the attack in statements to news agencies.
Chaotic and tense
Chaotic and tense
A ministry worker told the BBC's Ian Pannell at the scene that two or three men fought their way past security into the building.
A ministry worker told the BBC's Ian Pannell at the scene that two or three men fought their way past security into the building.
One of them was wearing an explosive device which he then detonated.
One of them was wearing an explosive device which he then detonated.
A spokesman for the Taleban, Zabiullah Mujahid, told agencies that three men carried out the attack.
A spokesman for the Taleban, Zabiullah Mujahid, told agencies that three men carried out the attack.
He said two of them shot at ministry guards and then left the area after the third entered the ministry's building.
He said two of them shot at ministry guards and then left the area after the third entered the ministry's building.
Many of the six-storey building's windows were blown out by the force of the blast and some windows in neighbouring buildings were also shattered.
Many of the six-storey building's windows were blown out by the force of the blast and some windows in neighbouring buildings were also shattered.
The atmosphere outside the ministry is chaotic and very tense, with a heavy police presence, our correspondent says, and there is speculation that one of the bomber's accomplices could still be in the area.
The atmosphere outside the ministry is chaotic and very tense, with a heavy police presence, our correspondent says, and there is speculation that one of the bomber's accomplices could still be in the area.
While the insurgents regularly use suicide attacks against Afghan and foreign forces around the country, such attacks have been relatively rare in Kabul in recent months.
Are you in the area of the attack? Did you witness the blast? Send us your comments and experiences.
