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Afghan Taliban attack central Kabul Afghan Taliban attack central Kabul
(35 minutes later)
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 security forces have been battling insurgents in the centre of the capital, Kabul, after the Taliban said it had launched an attack.
Gunmen were holed up within the guesthouse, Afghan TV reported. A large explosion was followed by several hours of gunfire. A Nepali guard and an off-duty policeman were killed, along with several militants.
Several employees of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were injured in an explosion at the beginning of the attack. A guesthouse used by the International Organization for Migration was hit, and one of their employees badly injured.
Officials said two of the insurgents had been killed. The Taliban told the BBC it was targeting CIA trainers.
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. Local TV reports said several gunmen were holed up in the area, which is home to a number of institutional buildings and to foreign workers.
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. Kabul police chief Gen Ayub Salangi told the BBC that all but one of five or six assailants had been killed, and that seven policemen were injured.
"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."
It was not immediately clear which building was the focus of the gun battle. A Taliban spokesman said the group had targeted CIA trainers instructing Afghans at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) intelligence agency.
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). The IOM said one of its employees had been badly burned by a grenade attack, and that three security officers had suffered minor injuries.
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. 'Spring offensive'
It was not clear whether the guesthouse was the main target of the attack.
Earlier, Afghan TV Channel One quoted police as saying a group of assailants had taken up position inside the nearby headquarters of the Directorate of the Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF).
A hospital run by the NDS is also in the area.
Some reports said there had been a series blasts as the assault began. Ambulances were shown heading for the scene of the attack.
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. 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.