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Deadly attacks hit Afghan capital Deadly attacks hit Afghan capital
(about 9 hours later)
Suicide attackers and gunmen have targeted three government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul, leaving at least 19 people dead, officials say. An assault on three government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has left at least 27 people, including eight attackers, dead.
In one attack, two suicide bombers detonated explosives at an office responsible for prisons in the north of the capital.In one attack, two suicide bombers detonated explosives at an office responsible for prisons in the north of the capital.
Attackers also targeted the justice ministry and education ministry in the centre of the city. Five gunmen attacked the justice ministry and another suicide bomber targeted the education ministry.
The Taleban have said they carried out the attacks.The Taleban have said they carried out the attacks.
A spokesman said they were in response to the treatment of Taleban prisoners in Afghan jails.A spokesman said they were in response to the treatment of Taleban prisoners in Afghan jails.
Once again the Taleban have displayed that they have no respect for Afghan citizens or any desire to see a peaceful future in Afghanistan Gen David McKiernan,commander, Isaf Attacks spark panic href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7883436.stm">In pictures: Militants attack More than 50 people are reported injured, officials say. Once again the Taleban have displayed that they have no respect for Afghan citizens or any desire to see a peaceful future in Afghanistan Gen David McKiernan,commander, Isaf Attacks spark panic href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7883436.stm">In pictures: Militants attack The interior ministry said overall 35 people were injured.
The attacks come in the week the new US envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, is expected to visit Kabul.The attacks come in the week the new US envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, is expected to visit Kabul.
The international forces in Afghanistan condemned the attacks as "callous and indiscriminate".The international forces in Afghanistan condemned the attacks as "callous and indiscriminate".
Taleban warningTaleban warning
Seven attackers took part in Wednesday's co-ordinated assault. Five gunmen attacked the justice ministry at 1005 (0535 GMT), Interior Minister Hanif Atmar said.
Four gunmen tried to enter the justice ministry. Two were killed outside but the others managed to get in, the BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul reports. He said the attackers killed 10 staff members, two intelligence workers and a policeman.
At one point the justice minister was locked inside his office under armed protection. He told the BBC he was safe but was unable to leave. The five gunmen were all killed in a three-hour operation he said.
The two attackers who entered the building were killed in a gunfight. Mr Atmar said that almost simultaneously two suicide attackers targeted the Prisoner Affairs Department in the north of the city.
A senior source said a number of police officers had also been killed. Six policemen were killed there and 29 people wounded, the minister said.
There was constant gunfire as police scaled the building with ladders to enter through windows. He added: "At 1003 our ministry of education was attacked by a terrorist suicide attacker who was armed with weapons and suicide vests.
"He was identified by our security forces and gunned down before achieving his goal."
At one point the justice minister was locked inside his office under armed protection.
There was constant gunfire there as police scaled the building with ladders to enter through windows.
Student Assadullah Jagdalak was inside the justice ministry and said he hid under a table when he heard shooting outside the building.Student Assadullah Jagdalak was inside the justice ministry and said he hid under a table when he heard shooting outside the building.
"Security guards started shooting and then the attackers responded by killing other security guards. One got inside the building and started shooting, one guy got upstairs," he said."Security guards started shooting and then the attackers responded by killing other security guards. One got inside the building and started shooting, one guy got upstairs," he said.
A number of people were also killed and injured in the attack on the prisoner affairs department. DEADLY KABUL ATTACKS Jan 09: Suicide bomber kills five outside German embassyOct 08: Suicide attacker kills five inside culture ministryJul 08: Suicide car bomber kills more than 50 at Indian embassy (above)Apr 08: Failed assassination attempt on President Karzai leaves six deadFeb 07: Attack on US Bagram base leaves 24 deadSep 06: Sixteen killed in suicide attack near US embassySep 02: Car bomb leaves 30 dead
DEADLY KABUL ATTACKS Jan 09: Suicide bomber kills five outside German embassyOct 08: Suicide attacker kills five inside culture ministryJul 08: Suicide car bomber kills more than 50 at Indian embassy (above)Apr 08: Failed assassination attempt on President Karzai leaves six deadFeb 07: Attack on US Bagram base leaves 24 deadSep 06: Sixteen killed in suicide attack near US embassySep 02: Car bomb leaves 30 dead In the third incident, the attacker tried and failed to get inside the education ministry and set off an explosive belt after being shot. Salim Hayran, who works at the education ministry, told the BBC: "After I heard the firing I could see from my window people running and the security guards everywhere."
Salim Hayran, who works at the ministry, told the BBC: "After I heard the firing I could see from my window people running and the security guards everywhere."
The commander of Nato's International Security Assistance Force, Gen David McKiernan, condemned the attacks.The commander of Nato's International Security Assistance Force, Gen David McKiernan, condemned the attacks.
"Once again the Taleban have displayed that they have no respect for Afghan citizens or any desire to see a peaceful future in Afghanistan," he said."Once again the Taleban have displayed that they have no respect for Afghan citizens or any desire to see a peaceful future in Afghanistan," he said.
Our correspondent says there had been a warning that the Taleban were planning a high-profile attack. The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says there had been a warning that the Taleban were planning a high-profile attack.
He says the attack follows a number of similar assaults last year and comes at a time when President Hamid Karzai is offering to sit down and start peace talks with the Taleban.He says the attack follows a number of similar assaults last year and comes at a time when President Hamid Karzai is offering to sit down and start peace talks with the Taleban.
The incident comes after US military chief Adm Mike Mullen said more American troops were needed urgently in Afghanistan.The incident comes after US military chief Adm Mike Mullen said more American troops were needed urgently in Afghanistan.
US President Barack Obama is expected to announce soon how many extra US troops could be sent to Afghanistan, and has called for Nato reinforcements.US President Barack Obama is expected to announce soon how many extra US troops could be sent to Afghanistan, and has called for Nato reinforcements.
Mr Holbrooke is expected in Kabul later this week, after his visit to Pakistan.Mr Holbrooke is expected in Kabul later this week, after his visit to Pakistan.
Before he left for the region, he said Afghanistan would be "much tougher" to solve than Iraq and that he had "never seen anything like the mess we have inherited".Before he left for the region, he said Afghanistan would be "much tougher" to solve than Iraq and that he had "never seen anything like the mess we have inherited".
Are you in Kabul? Have you witnessed or been affected by these incidents? Send us your commentsAre you in Kabul? Have you witnessed or been affected by these incidents? Send us your comments
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