An ongoing bomb and gun attack is rocking the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul, with a string of blasts targeting the US embassy and Nato’s Isaf headquarters.

A string of loud blasts was heard and insurgents are believed to be holed up in a building in the area.

The Taliban says it is behind the attack.

It comes weeks after suicide attackers stormed the city’s British Council office, killing 12 people.

The Taliban also claimed responsibility for that hours-long attack on 19 August, saying it was to mark the anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence from the UK in 1919.
Co-ordinated attack

“Today at 13.00 (08.30 GMT) at Kabul’s Abdul Haq roundabout a massive suicide attack on local and foreign intelligence facilities is ongoing,” said a spokesman for the Islamist group of Tuesday’s attack.

It appears to be a complex operation with a number of suicide bombers involved, says the BBC’s Quentin Sommerville in the Afghan capital.

A number of attackers have taken refuge in a partly-built high-rise building overlooking the area, from where they are coordinating their actions and exchanging sporadic gunfire with Afghan forces, adds our correspondent.

He saw a rocket-propelled grenade apparently overshoot the US embassy in the upmarket area, where Afghan security officials have sealed off streets and urged residents to stay away from windows.

US marines were seen on the roof of the US embassy assessing the situation and checking their defences were robust, adds our correspondent.

Western security sources said Nato’s International Security Assistance Force headquarters was also targeted, although an Isaf spokesman would not confirm the information.

Initial reports suggest at least four suicide bombers have been involved, with one reportedly detonating a suicide vest in a taxi.

Casualty figures remain unclear. Video footage showed a group of men taking shelter from gunfire – one with blood pouring from his arm – as sirens wailed through the city.

As well as housing the US and other foreign embassies, and Nato’s Afghan headquarters, the upmarket district is home to a number of government ministry buildings and the presidential palace.

This year has seen the most bloodshed in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled the Taliban in 2001.

The violence has intensified since July, when Nato began the long process of handing power over to Afghan forces. Most international troops are scheduled to leave by 2015, provided Afghan forces are ready to take over security.

Source: BBC News