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Explosion and gunfire shake Kabul Afghan Taliban attack central Kabul
(about 1 hour later)
There has been a large explosion in the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul, followed by heavy gunfire. Afghan security forces have been fighting insurgents in the centre of the capital, Kabul, after the Taliban said it had attacked a guesthouse for foreign workers.
Afghan Channel One TV quoted police as saying a group of assailants had entered the Directorate of the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF). Gunmen were holed up within the guesthouse, Afghan TV reported.
A guesthouse used by staff of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was hit in the blast, and two of its employees were injured. Several employees of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were injured in an explosion at the beginning of the attack.
A Taliban spokesman told the BBC that the guesthouse had been targeted. Officials said two of the insurgents had been killed.
He said the attack was directed against foreigners paid by the CIA who were training Afghans at the National Security Directorate (NDS) intelligence agency. A Taliban spokesman told the BBC that the group had targeted CIA trainers who were instructing Afghans at the National Security Directorate (NDS) intelligence agency.
Channel One said three gunmen were fighting security forces from within the guesthouse. Kabul police chief Gen Ayub Salangi told the BBC that the militants who died were suicide attackers, but that other insurgents had carried on fighting.
It reported earlier that some of the attackers had taken up positions in the APPF building, and that at least one suicide bomber had entered.
Kabul police chief Gen Ayub Salangi told the BBC that at least two suicide attackers had been killed and two assailants were still fighting.
"We are dealing with a well co-ordinated attack," he said."We are dealing with a well co-ordinated attack," he said.
"Afghan forces will deal with them.""Afghan forces will deal with them."
Some reports said there had been several blasts. Ambulances were shown heading for the scene of the attack, in a central part of Kabul where foreign workers are based. It was not immediately clear which building was the focus of the gun battle.
Earlier, Afghan TV Channel One quoted police as saying a group of assailants had taken up position inside the headquarters of the Directorate of the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF).
Some reports said there had been several blasts as the assault began. Ambulances were shown heading for the scene of the attack, in a central part of Kabul where foreign workers are based.
Smoke was seen over the centre of the city and the blast was felt several kilometres away.Smoke was seen over the centre of the city and the blast was felt several kilometres away.
Shopkeepers in the area said the explosion had shattered their windows. Part of Kabul was cordoned off.Shopkeepers in the area said the explosion had shattered their windows. Part of Kabul was cordoned off.
The Taliban announced a "spring offensive" in April, saying it would target foreign military bases and diplomatic areas.The Taliban announced a "spring offensive" in April, saying it would target foreign military bases and diplomatic areas.
Last week another Islamist militant group, Hezb-e-Islami, said it had carried out an attack on a military convoy in Kabul in which at least 15 people were killed and dozens injured.Last week another Islamist militant group, Hezb-e-Islami, said it had carried out an attack on a military convoy in Kabul in which at least 15 people were killed and dozens injured.
In the last major attack in Kabul before that, a suicide bomber blew himself up near the defence ministry, killing nine people.In the last major attack in Kabul before that, a suicide bomber blew himself up near the defence ministry, killing nine people.
Most international troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, and Afghan forces are due to take responsibility for the security of the whole country in the next few months, for the first time since 1992.Most international troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, and Afghan forces are due to take responsibility for the security of the whole country in the next few months, for the first time since 1992.