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Gunfire and explosions hit Kabul guesthouse Gunfire and explosions hit Kabul guesthouse
(about 1 hour later)
Gunmen have stormed a guesthouse in a diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul. Gunmen have tried to storm a guesthouse in a diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, police say.
At least a dozen explosions were heard in one hour in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, that is home to several embassies and government buildings.At least a dozen explosions were heard in one hour in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, that is home to several embassies and government buildings.
Afghanistan's interior ministry told the BBC that a guesthouse in the district was the target. Police reportedly said that the attackers were surrounded after trying to enter the guesthouse.
Gunfire and explosions continued to be reported several hours after the attack began. Gunfire and explosions early on Wednesday morning continued to be heard several hours after the attack began.
No group has said it carried out the attack, and it is not yet clear whether any casualties were suffered. No group has said it carried out the attack, although a tweet purportedly sent by the Taliban said that the attack is part of the group's spring and summer offensive.
"We have surrounded the area and cornered them [the attackers]," Kabul police spokesman Ebadullah Karimi told the AFP news agency, adding that no casualties have been reported.
"The attackers wanted to get into Heetal Hotel but failed. They have now taken position among the trees behind the hotel and are firing at security forces."
The hotel manager told AFP that all guests were in safe rooms and no one was hurt.
"Heetal is very well fortified. After one or two initial explosions, our guards started firing on attackers who were unable to get inside," the manager was quoted as saying from a telephone from inside the guesthouse.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, in Kabul, said he had heard "sustained explosions, small arms fire and also the sound of grenades".The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder, in Kabul, said he had heard "sustained explosions, small arms fire and also the sound of grenades".
The Associated Press said the attack began shortly before 23:00 (18:30 GMT) and that police were later seen smashing street lights to cover their movements in the dark.The Associated Press said the attack began shortly before 23:00 (18:30 GMT) and that police were later seen smashing street lights to cover their movements in the dark.
Afghanistan's interior ministry told the BBC that the target was the former Heetal guesthouse, that was targeted by the Taliban in December 2009 and is now known as the Rabbani Guesthouse. Afghanistan's interior ministry told the BBC that the target was the former Heetal guesthouse, that was targeted by the Taliban in December 2009 and is now officially known as the Rabbani Guesthouse.
It is owned by the Rabbani family, including Afghanistan's current Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, and its former president, Burhanuddin Rabbani.It is owned by the Rabbani family, including Afghanistan's current Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, and its former president, Burhanuddin Rabbani.
The guesthouse is popular with foreigners, AP said.The guesthouse is popular with foreigners, AP said.
Reports by witnesses on social media said that the fighting was close to the Tajik embassy and Street 15 in the Wazir Akbar Khan district.Reports by witnesses on social media said that the fighting was close to the Tajik embassy and Street 15 in the Wazir Akbar Khan district.
While the area is popular with foreign workers and also houses government employees, it has been subject to several high-profile attacks in recent years, most notably in the Taverna du Liban restaurant last year.While the area is popular with foreign workers and also houses government employees, it has been subject to several high-profile attacks in recent years, most notably in the Taverna du Liban restaurant last year.
In recent weeks, a new wave of attacks by the Taliban has targeted foreigners in Kabul.In recent weeks, a new wave of attacks by the Taliban has targeted foreigners in Kabul.
Two weeks ago, fourteen people were killed as they waited to attend a concert in a guesthouse in Kabul. Two weeks ago, 14 people were killed as they waited to attend a concert in a guesthouse in Kabul.
The Taliban said it carried out that attack.The Taliban said it carried out that attack.
With the Taliban's traditional summer offensive under way, the UN says the number of civilians killed and injured across Afghanistan stands at nearly 3,000 over the first four months of the year, up 16% on the same period last year.With the Taliban's traditional summer offensive under way, the UN says the number of civilians killed and injured across Afghanistan stands at nearly 3,000 over the first four months of the year, up 16% on the same period last year.
Are you in Kabul? Have you been affected by recent events? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Kabul? Have you been affected by recent events? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number when emailing us your details.If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number when emailing us your details.