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Suicide bomber attacks Afghan security offices in Kabul Suicide bomb attack on Afghan security offices in Kabul
(35 minutes later)
A building belonging to Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) has been attacked by a suicide bomber in the capital, Kabul, officials have told the BBC. A suicide bomb attack has been launched on a building belonging to Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) in the capital, Kabul, officials have told the BBC.
A loud explosion was heard, followed by gunfire around the building. Three civilians were killed and 30 hurt, the officials said. Five attackers were killed.
It is close to the interior ministry and other key government offices. Another car packed with explosives was defused, police said.
It is not yet clear who the attackers are, but the Taliban have over the past two years launched several high profile attacks in Kabul. The Taliban, who have launched several high-profile raids on Kabul, said they were behind the attack.
It is also unclear whether there are any fatalities, although some reports say shop owners and passers-by were injured by the blast. The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul says the attacked area is often packed with civilians who come to collect passports and national identity cards at the interior ministry.
The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul says the area is often packed with civilians who come to collect passports and national identity cards at the interior ministry. Intelligence chief Gen Zaher Zaher told the BBC the clearance operation was now over.
NDS head targeted 'Huge bang'
The area involved in central Kabul is heavily barricaded and also houses several Western embassies.The area involved in central Kabul is heavily barricaded and also houses several Western embassies.
The main explosion took place around noon local time (07:30 GMT). A plume of smoke rose from the area, and gunfire and police sirens were then heard.The main explosion took place around noon local time (07:30 GMT). A plume of smoke rose from the area, and gunfire and police sirens were then heard.
The international military coalition in Afghanistan confirmed the explosion and gunfire but had no further details.
One eyewitness, Mohammad Zia, told Associated Press that a car had been driven up to the gates of the barricaded NDS building and a bomb inside the vehicle was detonated.One eyewitness, Mohammad Zia, told Associated Press that a car had been driven up to the gates of the barricaded NDS building and a bomb inside the vehicle was detonated.
A number of wrecked cars could also be seen.A number of wrecked cars could also be seen.
Shop owner Qais Ahmad told Reuters: "I was inside the shop when I heard noises and a huge bang. The explosion happened and all the glass and windows in my shop were destroyed and injured my head."
The attack comes shortly after the return from the US of President Hamid Karzai, who was discussing with President Barack Obama the future of his country after the Nato-led troops withdraw at the end of next year.The attack comes shortly after the return from the US of President Hamid Karzai, who was discussing with President Barack Obama the future of his country after the Nato-led troops withdraw at the end of next year.
Wednesday's attack on the embassy area of Kabul is the first since November, when a suicide bomber killed two Afghan security guards and wounded three.Wednesday's attack on the embassy area of Kabul is the first since November, when a suicide bomber killed two Afghan security guards and wounded three.
Last month, NDS chief Asadullah Khalid was wounded in a Taliban suicide bombing in the Taymeni area of central Kabul.Last month, NDS chief Asadullah Khalid was wounded in a Taliban suicide bombing in the Taymeni area of central Kabul.
The Taliban said the attacker had posed as a peace messenger.The Taliban said the attacker had posed as a peace messenger.
Mr Khalid has been in the job since September and has a reputation for being fiercely anti-Taliban.Mr Khalid has been in the job since September and has a reputation for being fiercely anti-Taliban.
Militant groups continue to mount regular attacks in Afghanistan, raising questions as to how the Afghan security forces will cope after 2014.Militant groups continue to mount regular attacks in Afghanistan, raising questions as to how the Afghan security forces will cope after 2014.