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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UN staff killed in Kabul attack | UN staff killed in Kabul attack |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| At least three United Nations employees have been killed and some injured in an attack in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul, the UN says. | |
| Heavy gunfire and an explosion were heard at a guesthouse used by the UN, after militants entered the building. | Heavy gunfire and an explosion were heard at a guesthouse used by the UN, after militants entered the building. |
| The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. | |
| There are reports of rockets being fired at the Serena Hotel in the city, which is used by diplomats and other international workers. | |
| There is no information yet on whether anyone has been injured or killed at the hotel, but about 100 people inside at the time were taken to secure rooms. | |
| 'First step' | |
| The attack at the guesthouse happened just before 0700 (0230 GMT), Afghan police and the UN said. | |
| It is a private guesthouse which is used by UN and other international organizations. | |
| "Several Taliban suiciders (took) hostage several UN workers in Kabul," the Islamist movement said in an English-language text message sent to Reuters news agency. | "Several Taliban suiciders (took) hostage several UN workers in Kabul," the Islamist movement said in an English-language text message sent to Reuters news agency. |
| Plumes of smoke were seen rising above central Kabul | Plumes of smoke were seen rising above central Kabul |
| The militants said the attack was the "first step" in a campaign to disrupt the second round of presidential elections in 10 days' time. | The militants said the attack was the "first step" in a campaign to disrupt the second round of presidential elections in 10 days' time. |
| UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building, as UN employees tried to flee. | |
| He later confirmed that three UN staff had killed and an unknown number injured in the attack. | |
| It was not immediately known how many people were inside the building. | |
| Afghan policeman Waheed Sadiqi told Reuters news agency that "there are five or six terrorists inside" the building. | |
| A number of streets were cordoned off by the police as the gunfire continued. | |
| Kabul has been attacked regularly in recent months, with Taliban fighters targeting foreign troops or government offices. | Kabul has been attacked regularly in recent months, with Taliban fighters targeting foreign troops or government offices. |
| The latest incident comes amid heightened tension in the country over a presidential election marred by widespread fraud in favour of incumbent President Hamid Karzai. | The latest incident comes amid heightened tension in the country over a presidential election marred by widespread fraud in favour of incumbent President Hamid Karzai. |
| Are you Kabul? Did you witness the explosion or the gunfire? Send us your stories using the form below. | Are you Kabul? Did you witness the explosion or the gunfire? Send us your stories using the form below. |
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