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Kabul attack: Taliban target embassy district | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Taliban militants have attacked a foreign guesthouse in Kabul's embassy district, causing several casualties. | |
Initial reports suggest the Spanish embassy was under attack, but Spain's prime minister denied this. | |
The Taliban say their fighters detonated a car bomb in the Sherpur area and were currently inside a building there. | |
It is the latest in a series of audacious raids by Taliban fighters on high-profile targets in Afghanistan. | It is the latest in a series of audacious raids by Taliban fighters on high-profile targets in Afghanistan. |
Casualties have been brought in to a nearby hospital, and eyewitnesses say a gun battle is still under way. | |
Spain's PM Mariano Rajoy said one Spanish policeman was injured. | |
It follows a Taliban attack on Kandahar airport on Tuesday evening in which at least 50 people were killed. | It follows a Taliban attack on Kandahar airport on Tuesday evening in which at least 50 people were killed. |
Heavy gunfire | Heavy gunfire |
Afghan security officials say that seven insurgents are involved in the attack. | Afghan security officials say that seven insurgents are involved in the attack. |
Both Afghan and Spanish security forces are reportedly at the scene. | Both Afghan and Spanish security forces are reportedly at the scene. |
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by heavy gunfire on Friday evening. | Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by heavy gunfire on Friday evening. |
Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi told the BBC: " I can only confirm a suicide car bomb in the Sherpur area at this moment". | Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi told the BBC: " I can only confirm a suicide car bomb in the Sherpur area at this moment". |
Freelance journalist Bilal Sarwary reported seeing two Spanish diplomats fleeing the compound shortly after the attack. | |
He saw one of them repeatedly bang their head on a vehicle in a show of grief. | |
Afghan police report that the militants had burned several armoured vehicles that they found inside the compound. | |
The initial explosion left two houses on fire, a police official told the Associated Press. | |
"It's possible the attackers are hiding. We've blocked all the streets and are searching," he added. |