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Nato HQ at Kabul airport under attack Several killed in attack on Kabul airport
(35 minutes later)
At least five heavily armed insurgents were engaged in an hours-long gun battle with security forces near Afghanistan's main airport on Monday after they apparently tried to attack Nato's airport headquarters with rocket-propelled grenades, assault rifles and at least one large bomb, the army and police said. Seven attackers have been killed after an assault near Kabul's international airport was thwarted, authorities in Afghanistan say.
The airport was closed to all civilian air traffic because of the attack, an airport official said. It was unclear if the attack had damaged the airport itself. A Ministry of Interior spokesman, Sediq Sediqi, said two civilians were wounded in Monday's attack that was apparently targeting Nato's airport headquarters. The attackers had rocket-propelled grenades, assault rifles and at least one large bomb.
"Their target is unclear because they are at a distance from the airport. We have lots of installations in that area," interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said. "They seem to be trying to hit anything they can." Deputy Kabul police chief Dawood Amin said there were seven attackers. Two blew themselves up with suicide vests and five were shot and killed by police.
He said three insurgents had been killed and at least three others were believed to be in a four- to five-storey building that was under construction. There were no casualties among police or civilians, he added. It was unclear if the attack had damaged facilities inside the airport. The attackers had taken over a four- to five- storey building under construction nearby.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the insurgents were targeting Nato.Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the insurgents were targeting Nato.
The airport was closed to all civilian air traffic during the attack, but subsequently reopened.
Kabul police said in an announcement that attackers wearing suicide vests had occupied one or two buildings under construction on the west side of the airport and were firing at the military facility.Kabul police said in an announcement that attackers wearing suicide vests had occupied one or two buildings under construction on the west side of the airport and were firing at the military facility.
A statement said there was at least one large explosion at around 4.30am local time (1am BST) and a gun battle began with security forces. A statement said there was at least one large explosion about 4.30am local time (1am BST) and a gun battle began with security forces.
"It first started with a big explosion which we think was a suicide attack. After that a gun battle started," said a Kabul police spokesman, Hashmat Stanikzai. He said at least five insurgents then occupied two buildings in a single compound and started firing rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons."It first started with a big explosion which we think was a suicide attack. After that a gun battle started," said a Kabul police spokesman, Hashmat Stanikzai. He said at least five insurgents then occupied two buildings in a single compound and started firing rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons.
"Sometimes they are shooting from one building, sometimes from other. It is a residential area and the compound has been surrounded by Afghan security forces. The security forces surrounded the buildings and are being careful because it is a residential area."
The airport was closed to all civilian traffic.
"We closed the Kabul airport runway so that civilian aircraft don't get hit by bullets. They are in a high building that they are shooting from," said Yaqub Rassouli, the civilian chief of Kabul airport.
Explosions could be heard in downtown Kabul, a few miles from the airport. Embassies in the diplomatic zone in the centre of Kabul were quickly locked down and emergency alarms were heard ringing loudly from the British embassy.Explosions could be heard in downtown Kabul, a few miles from the airport. Embassies in the diplomatic zone in the centre of Kabul were quickly locked down and emergency alarms were heard ringing loudly from the British embassy.
"It started just after dawn prayers and I counted about a dozen explosions, mostly RPG fire, coming from the airport," said Emayatullah, who lives next to the airport. Like many Afghans he uses only one name."It started just after dawn prayers and I counted about a dozen explosions, mostly RPG fire, coming from the airport," said Emayatullah, who lives next to the airport. Like many Afghans he uses only one name.
The International Assistance Force's joint command said it was aware of reports of an attack, but had no further details.The International Assistance Force's joint command said it was aware of reports of an attack, but had no further details.
The US-led Nato coalition's Joint Command headquarters at the airport runs the day-to-day operations of the nearly 12-year-old war. The airport's military side is also used for Nato transport and other aircraft. The US-led Nato coalition's joint command headquarters at the airport runs the day-to-day operations of the nearly 12-year-old war. The airport's military side is also used for Nato transport and other aircraft.
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