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Militants attack Afghan capital Militants attack Afghan capital
(10 minutes later)
Suspected Taliban militants have launched an attack in the Afghan capital Kabul, setting off explosions and sparking a gun battle.Suspected Taliban militants have launched an attack in the Afghan capital Kabul, setting off explosions and sparking a gun battle.
The fighting is in an area around the presidential palace, Serena Hotel, the Central Bank and Ministry of Justice.The fighting is in an area around the presidential palace, Serena Hotel, the Central Bank and Ministry of Justice.
A BBC correspondent at the scene says he heard a series of explosions close to government ministry buildings, followed by shooting.A BBC correspondent at the scene says he heard a series of explosions close to government ministry buildings, followed by shooting.
The Taliban says 20 fighters, including suicide bombers, are involved.The Taliban says 20 fighters, including suicide bombers, are involved.
A statement on a Taliban website said the attack had specifically targeted government buildings and the hotel.
There are reports of one recent massive explosion in the diplomatic quarter.
'Chaotic scene'
Nato's Isaf force said it was "working closely with our Afghan partners to aggressively contain the situation during which several small explosions were reported near the Feroshgah-e-Afghan shopping centre and the Serena Hotel".
AT THE SCENE Mark Dummett, BBC News, KabulAT THE SCENE Mark Dummett, BBC News, Kabul
I'm in a basement in the heart of the city surrounded by key government buildings, the presidential palace and various ministries.I'm in a basement in the heart of the city surrounded by key government buildings, the presidential palace and various ministries.
About an hour ago we heard the first series of explosions. Since then we have heard the sound of gun battles on the street outside. We haven't been able to speak to anybody in government as phone lines are down.About an hour ago we heard the first series of explosions. Since then we have heard the sound of gun battles on the street outside. We haven't been able to speak to anybody in government as phone lines are down.
I have been told by security here that there is a gun battle and that there are at least two groups of attackers. Some were firing from the fourth floor of a building around here. Other attackers have detonated bombs.I have been told by security here that there is a gun battle and that there are at least two groups of attackers. Some were firing from the fourth floor of a building around here. Other attackers have detonated bombs.
We are not entirely sure what the scene is outside - but we think there was a series of bomb attacks followed by this fighting as the army and police try to clear the rest of the attackers.We are not entirely sure what the scene is outside - but we think there was a series of bomb attacks followed by this fighting as the army and police try to clear the rest of the attackers.
A statement on a Taliban website said the attack had specifically targeted government buildings and the hotel. Isaf said Afghan forces had reportedly killed at least two armed insurgents.
There are reports of one recent massive explosion in the diplomatic quarter.
Nato has said international troops are helping Afghan forces secure the area.
Streets in the centre of the city have been closed and hotels and government buildings have been locked down.Streets in the centre of the city have been closed and hotels and government buildings have been locked down.
A spokesman for the interior ministry has told the BBC that several insurgents had entered a private building - possibly a shopping centre - which was the focus of the gun battle with Afghan security forces.
One official trapped in a government building told the Reuters news agency: "It is a chaotic scene, we do not know what to do and where to go."One official trapped in a government building told the Reuters news agency: "It is a chaotic scene, we do not know what to do and where to go."
The attack happened as some members of President Hamid Karzai's cabinet were being sworn in.The attack happened as some members of President Hamid Karzai's cabinet were being sworn in.
This is the latest in a series of increasingly brazen attacks by militants on the Afghan capital.This is the latest in a series of increasingly brazen attacks by militants on the Afghan capital.
In October, five UN staff were killed in a raid on a UN guesthouse. The Serena Hotel was also targeted in the attack.In October, five UN staff were killed in a raid on a UN guesthouse. The Serena Hotel was also targeted in the attack.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Kabul says there will be huge concern that the militants have again broken through to the most protected part of the city, although security forces say they do prevent many other attacks.