Suicide attackers and gunmen have targeted two government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul, leaving a number of people dead and injured.
Suicide attackers and gunmen have targeted two government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul, leaving at least 17 people dead, officials say.
In one attack, two suicide bombers detonated explosives at an office responsible for prisons in the north of the capital, officials say.
In one attack, two suicide bombers detonated explosives at an office responsible for prisons in the north of the capital.
Gunmen also opened fire as they tried to enter the justice ministry in the centre of the city.
Gunmen also opened fire as they tried to enter the justice ministry in the centre of the city.
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.
Dozens of people are reported injured in the attacks, officials say.
Witnesses flee
Witnesses flee
At least three gunmen tried to enter the justice ministry.
At least three gunmen tried to enter the justice ministry.
Two were killed outside but the third managed to get in, the BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul reports.
Two were killed outside but the third managed to get in, the BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul reports.
Everybody was running, some were entering the washroom, others were running outside, it was total disaster Assadullah Jagdalak,student at justice ministry
Everybody was running, some were entering the washroom, others were running outside, it was total disaster Assadullah Jagdalak,student at justice ministry
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.
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 third attacker appears to have been killed in a gunfight.
The third attacker appears to have been killed in a gunfight.
A senior source said a number of police officers had also been killed.
A senior source said a number of police officers had also been killed.
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.
"Everybody was running, some were entering the washroom, others were running outside, it was total disaster."
"Everybody was running, some were entering the washroom, others were running outside, it was total disaster."
A number of people were also killed and injured in the attack on the prisons directorate.
A number of people were also killed and injured in the attack on the prisons directorate.
Our correspondent says there had been a warning that the Taleban were planning a high-profile attack.
Our correspondent 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.
Are you in Kabul? Have you witnessed or been affected by these incidents? Send us your comments
Are you in Kabul? Have you witnessed or been affected by these incidents? Send us your comments
