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UN staff killed in Kabul attack UN staff killed in Kabul attack
(30 minutes later)
Six foreign UN employees have been killed and nine wounded in an attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the UN says. Six foreign UN employees have been killed and nine wounded in an attack in Kabul, the deadliest on the UN in Afghanistan since the Taliban's fall.
Three militants attacked a guesthouse used by the UN. They were later shot dead. Two Afghan security personnel and a civilian also died.Three militants attacked a guesthouse used by the UN. They were later shot dead. Two Afghan security personnel and a civilian also died.
The Taliban said they carried out the attack, which comes 10 days before the second round of presidential elections.The Taliban said they carried out the attack, which comes 10 days before the second round of presidential elections.
Later, rockets were fired at the Serena Hotel in the city, which is used by diplomats and other foreigners. Later, rockets were fired at the city's five-star Serena Hotel.
No-one has been reported injured at the hotel, but about 100 people inside at the time were taken to secure rooms as smoke filled the lobby. One or two rockets were said to have landed in the grounds of the hotel, which is used by diplomats and other foreigners.
No-one has been reported injured there, but about 100 people inside at the time were taken to secure rooms as smoke filled the lobby.
Taliban warningTaliban warning
The attack at the guesthouse happened just before 0600 (0130 GMT), Afghan police and the UN said.The attack at the guesthouse happened just before 0600 (0130 GMT), Afghan police and the UN said.
ANALYSIS Andrew North, BBC News, KabulANALYSIS Andrew North, BBC News, Kabul
These attacks on two high-profile targets have spread a lot of fear.These attacks on two high-profile targets have spread a lot of fear.
Security preparations were getting under way to protect the vote on 7 November. There are thousands of Afghan troops in and around Kabul but determined militants are still able to get through.Security preparations were getting under way to protect the vote on 7 November. There are thousands of Afghan troops in and around Kabul but determined militants are still able to get through.
The UN guesthouses have to conform to specific rules on security but we don't know how these militants were able to get through the security.The UN guesthouses have to conform to specific rules on security but we don't know how these militants were able to get through the security.
It is a private guesthouse, used by UN and other international organisations. The private Bekhtar Guesthouse is used by the UN and other international organisations.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to the Associated Press.Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to the Associated Press.
He said three Taliban militants with suicide vests, grenades and machine guns had carried out the assault.He said three Taliban militants with suicide vests, grenades and machine guns had carried out the assault.
UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building as UN employees tried to flee. A number of streets were cordoned off by police. UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building as UN employees tried to flee. Streets were cordoned off by police.
The three gunmen were shot dead and the incident ended at about 0830 (0400GMT). The three gunmen were shot dead and the incident ended at about 0830 local time.
It was not immediately known how many people were inside the guesthouse at the time. It was not immediately known how many people were inside the guesthouse at the time. The building was gutted by fire.
The building was gutted by fire. A Kabul resident, David Cook, told the BBC the attack involved multiple grenades and automatic weapons.
A current Kabul resident, David Cook, told the BBC the attack involved multiple grenades and automatic weapons.
In pictures: Kabul UN attacks US to pay Taliban to switch sidesIn pictures: Kabul UN attacks US to pay Taliban to switch sides
"I saw people on the roof [security guards] and one woman climbed down from a second storey balcony after she had stood screaming and shouting for about five minutes for someone to come help her. Much of the gunfire was random - security guards shooting at nothing," he said."I saw people on the roof [security guards] and one woman climbed down from a second storey balcony after she had stood screaming and shouting for about five minutes for someone to come help her. Much of the gunfire was random - security guards shooting at nothing," he said.
Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary said the operation was now over, and the security forces were in control of the building.Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary said the operation was now over, and the security forces were in control of the building.
Mr Bashary praised the effectiveness of the security operation and said he hoped this would not point to further attacks in the run-up to the voting.Mr Bashary praised the effectiveness of the security operation and said he hoped this would not point to further attacks in the run-up to the voting.
"We are preparing to strengthen the vulnerable points and the security belt for the centre of the city," he told the BBC."We are preparing to strengthen the vulnerable points and the security belt for the centre of the city," he told the BBC.
But the Taliban spokesman said they had threatened to target anyone working on the Afghan run-off presidential election between incumbent Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah.But the Taliban spokesman said they had threatened to target anyone working on the Afghan run-off presidential election between incumbent Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah.
"This is our first attack," he said."This is our first attack," he said.
Another UN spokesman, Adrian Edwards, said: "This has clearly been a very serious incident for us. We've not had an incident like this in the past."Another UN spokesman, Adrian Edwards, said: "This has clearly been a very serious incident for us. We've not had an incident like this in the past."
Kabul has been attacked regularly in recent months, with Taliban fighters targeting foreign troops or government offices. The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says that given the huge number of security personnel in the city, it is difficult to see how security there could be increased further.
The latest incident comes amid heightened tension in the country over the first round of presidential elections, which was marred by widespread fraud. The UN is playing a leading role in organising the run-off election and our correspondent says it is clearly a tactic of the Taliban to prevent its staff from going about their business safely.
The UN is playing a leading role in organising the polls. There has been heightened tension in the country following the first round of the presidential election, which was marred by widespread fraud.
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