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| Afghan gunmen storm Sikh temple in Kabul | Afghan gunmen storm Sikh temple in Kabul |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Afghan security forces are battling gunmen who stormed a Sikh-Hindu temple in central Kabul, reportedly holding an unknown number of worshippers hostage. | Afghan security forces are battling gunmen who stormed a Sikh-Hindu temple in central Kabul, reportedly holding an unknown number of worshippers hostage. |
| Police said the attack on the temple in the Shorbazar area began at about 07:45 (03:15 GMT). | Police said the attack on the temple in the Shorbazar area began at about 07:45 (03:15 GMT). |
| Witnesses reported hearing explosions and gunfire. | Witnesses reported hearing explosions and gunfire. |
| Afghan special forces sealed off the area and are engaged in a gun battle with the attackers. It is not known if there are any casualties. | Afghan special forces sealed off the area and are engaged in a gun battle with the attackers. It is not known if there are any casualties. |
| "People are stuck inside the building and [security forces] are trying to rescue them," interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told AFP news agency. | "People are stuck inside the building and [security forces] are trying to rescue them," interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told AFP news agency. |
| Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, a Sikh MP in the Afghan parliament, said people were hiding inside the temple and their phones were switched off. | Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, a Sikh MP in the Afghan parliament, said people were hiding inside the temple and their phones were switched off. |
| "I am very concerned," he said. "There are about 150 people inside the temple. Families are living there and they usually gather to offer prayers in the mornings." | "I am very concerned," he said. "There are about 150 people inside the temple. Families are living there and they usually gather to offer prayers in the mornings." |
| No group has said it carried out the attack. | No group has said it carried out the attack. |
| Afghanistan is currently mired in a political stalemate with two politicians both claiming victory in the presidential election. | |
| The US has been trying to break the deadlock and also save a deal it signed with the Taliban militant group that is supposed to pave the way for peace in Afghanistan. |