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| UN staff killed in Kabul attack | UN staff killed in Kabul attack |
| (10 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 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 attack, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility, comes 10 days before the second round of presidential elections is due to be held. | The attack, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility, comes 10 days before the second round of presidential elections is due to be held. |
| 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 Serena Hotel in the city, which is used by diplomats and other foreigners. |
| 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. | |
| Taliban warning | Taliban warning |
| The attack at the guesthouse happened just before 0600 (0130 GMT), Afghan police and the UN said. | |
| This has clearly been a very serious incident for us - we've not had an incident like this in the past Adrian EdwardsUN spokesman | This has clearly been a very serious incident for us - we've not had an incident like this in the past Adrian EdwardsUN spokesman |
| It is a private guesthouse which is used by UN and other international organisations. | It is a private guesthouse which is used by 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 carried out the assault. | He said three Taliban militants with suicide vests, grenades and machine guns carried out the assault. |
| The spokesman added that last week the Taliban had threatened to target anyone working on the Afghan run-off presidential election between incumbent Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah. | The spokesman added that last week the Taliban 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. |
| UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building, as UN employees tried to flee. | 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 the police as the gunfire continued. | A number of streets were cordoned off by the police as the gunfire continued. |
| It was not immediately known how many people were inside the building | It was not immediately known how many people were inside the building |
| 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. |
| The three gunmen were shot dead and the incident ended about 0830 (0400GMT), more than two hours after it began. | |
| Two members of the Afghan security forces and an Afghan civilian were also killed, police told the BBC. | |
| It was not immediately known how many people were inside the building at the time. | It was not immediately known how many people were inside the building at the time. |
| 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. | 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 the first round of presidential elections marred by widespread fraud in favour of President Karzai. | The latest incident comes amid heightened tension in the country over the first round of presidential elections marred by widespread fraud in favour of President Karzai. |
| The UN is playing a leading role in organising the polls. | The UN is playing a leading role in organising the polls. |
| Are you in Kabul? Did you witness the explosion or the gunfire? Send us your stories using the form below. | |
| You can also send us your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | You can also send us your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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