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Suicide attack on Afghan capital Suicide attack on Afghan capital
(about 3 hours later)
Explosions and gunfire in the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul, have left at least 17 people dead, officials say.Explosions and gunfire in the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul, have left at least 17 people dead, officials say.
A suicide bomber detonated explosives near Kabul's main shopping centre. Several smaller blasts followed and two other attackers were shot dead.A suicide bomber detonated explosives near Kabul's main shopping centre. Several smaller blasts followed and two other attackers were shot dead.
A Taliban spokesman said they carried out the attacks. A Frenchman, Italian and two policemen have been killed. The Taliban said it was responsible. Four Indians, a Frenchman, an Italian and two policemen were among the dead.
The violence comes as Nato and Afghan forces continue Operation Moshtarak to tackle the Taliban in Helmand province.The violence comes as Nato and Afghan forces continue Operation Moshtarak to tackle the Taliban in Helmand province.
Kabul has been relatively quiet since 18 January, when Taliban bombers and gunmen attacked government targets and shopping malls, killing 12 people.Kabul has been relatively quiet since 18 January, when Taliban bombers and gunmen attacked government targets and shopping malls, killing 12 people.
Friday's attack is also the Taliban's first major raid since the arrest of key leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in Pakistan this month. Friday's attack is also the Taliban's first major raid since the arrest of key leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Pakistan this month.
'Crying and shouting''Crying and shouting'
The BBC's Martin Patience, in Kabul, says the first blast on Friday happened at 0630 local time (0200 GMT) close to the Kabul City Centre shopping area and the Safi Landmark Hotel. The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says the first blast on Friday happened at 0630 local time (0200 GMT) close to the Kabul City Centre shopping area and the Safi Landmark Hotel.
ANALYSIS Martin Patience, BBC News, KabulANALYSIS Martin Patience, BBC News, Kabul
This is the second attack in Kabul since the start of the year and the tactics appeared to be the same: using multiple attackers and suicide bombers for maximum impact.This is the second attack in Kabul since the start of the year and the tactics appeared to be the same: using multiple attackers and suicide bombers for maximum impact.
Because the attack took place early in the morning, it is possible that the militants were trying to target foreigners sleeping in the guesthouses at the time. An attack on a UN guesthouse in October 2009 used similar tactics.Because the attack took place early in the morning, it is possible that the militants were trying to target foreigners sleeping in the guesthouses at the time. An attack on a UN guesthouse in October 2009 used similar tactics.
Whatever the motive, the Taliban - who said they carried out the latest attack - want to demonstrate that they can strike anywhere in the country. The movement is determined to show that the Afghan government and Western forces cannot control the security situation across the country and, in this case, the capital.Whatever the motive, the Taliban - who said they carried out the latest attack - want to demonstrate that they can strike anywhere in the country. The movement is determined to show that the Afghan government and Western forces cannot control the security situation across the country and, in this case, the capital.
The Park Residence Hotel, popular with foreigners, was also close to the main blast and a number of foreign nationals have been killed. The Park Residence Hotel, popular with foreigners, was also close to the main blast and a number of foreign nationals were killed.
Indian nationals were said to be staying in hotels in the area. A number of Indian nationals were staying in hotels in the area, and the head of the police criminal investigation department told the BBC that four had died.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said one French visitor to Afghanistan had been killed while Agence France-Presse reported Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary as saying an Italian national was also among the dead. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said one French visitor to Afghanistan had been killed, while Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary told the AFP news agency that an Italian national was also among the dead.
Gen Abdul Rahman, Kabul's city police chief, told AFP the Italian man was in the Park Residence and was helping police by telephone when militants shot him dead. Gen Abdul Rahman, Kabul's city police chief, told AFP the Italian man had been staying in the Park Residence and had been helping police by telephone when militants shot him dead.
"He was a brave man," Gen Rahman said."He was a brave man," Gen Rahman said.
At least 32 people are reported to have been injured in the attacks. At least 30 people are reported to have been injured in the attacks.
Nato's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen condemned the attacks.
"Those who committed them made it clear, in their choice of targets, that their aim is to reverse the progress that Afghans are making," he said in a statement.
The situation now appears to be under control but there are reports that one suspected attacker is holed up in the basement of a guesthouse.The situation now appears to be under control but there are reports that one suspected attacker is holed up in the basement of a guesthouse.
At least two smaller explosions had been reported following the main blast and security forces exchanged fire with gunmen for several hours after sealing off the area. At least two smaller explosions were reported following the main blast and security forces exchanged fire with gunmen for several hours after sealing off the area.
Sirens blared across the city and announcements from loudspeakers warned people to stay indoors. Sirens blared across the city and announcements from loudspeakers warned people to stay indoors. The areas around diplomatic missions and government ministries were closed to traffic.
A British national staying at the Safi Landmark, Brian Briscombe, told the BBC he awoke to shattered glass and smoke.A British national staying at the Safi Landmark, Brian Briscombe, told the BBC he awoke to shattered glass and smoke.
He stayed in his hotel room for 30 minutes but then decided to leave.He stayed in his hotel room for 30 minutes but then decided to leave.
"My hand was gashed and I wanted to get it treated. But a jumpy soldier screamed and almost shot me because he saw my backpack and thought for 10 seconds that I was a suicide bomber. Luckily he calmed down and I was allowed to leave.""My hand was gashed and I wanted to get it treated. But a jumpy soldier screamed and almost shot me because he saw my backpack and thought for 10 seconds that I was a suicide bomber. Luckily he calmed down and I was allowed to leave."
Another witness, known only as Dr Azizi, said he was sleeping in his office 200m away when the first explosion occurred.
RECENT KABUL ATTACKS 18 Jan 2010: Taliban attack government targets and shopping malls, killing 1215 Dec 09: Six killed in suicide attack near hotel in Wazir Akbar Khan district24 Oct 09: Six UN staff and three Afghans killed in attack on UN guesthouse8 Oct 09: Suicide bomber attacks Indian embassy, killing at least 1717 Sept 09: Six Italian soldiers and 10 Afghans die in military convoy blast18 Aug 09: Suicide blast kills 10 in attack on Western troop convoy In pictures: Kabul attack Operation Moshtarak's 'progress' Pakistan's Taliban arrestsRECENT KABUL ATTACKS 18 Jan 2010: Taliban attack government targets and shopping malls, killing 1215 Dec 09: Six killed in suicide attack near hotel in Wazir Akbar Khan district24 Oct 09: Six UN staff and three Afghans killed in attack on UN guesthouse8 Oct 09: Suicide bomber attacks Indian embassy, killing at least 1717 Sept 09: Six Italian soldiers and 10 Afghans die in military convoy blast18 Aug 09: Suicide blast kills 10 in attack on Western troop convoy In pictures: Kabul attack Operation Moshtarak's 'progress' Pakistan's Taliban arrests
"After the initial bang, I heard two or more explosions and then gunfire. The message... is that we are not safe. With all the police checkpoints and...military personnel on the streets of Kabul, how do the terrorists still get in?" Operation Moshtarak continues in Helmand in the south, aiming to drive the Taliban from their strongholds around Nad Ali and Marjah. The Afghan government is now operating in the town of Marjah although troops continue to target militants in the area.
Operation Moshtarak continues in Helmand in the south, aiming to drive the Taliban from their strongholds around Nad Ali and Marjah.
On Thursday, Maj Gen Nick Carter, commander of troops in southern Afghanistan, told the BBC there had been "a great deal of progress" in establishing security.On Thursday, Maj Gen Nick Carter, commander of troops in southern Afghanistan, told the BBC there had been "a great deal of progress" in establishing security.
Friday's attack also represents the first major Taliban response to the capture of Mullah Baradar in Karachi in Pakistan. Friday's attack also represents the first major Taliban response to the capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Karachi in Pakistan.
He was said to be the second in command and to have run the Taliban's leadership council and controlled their finances.He was said to be the second in command and to have run the Taliban's leadership council and controlled their finances.
At least four Taliban "shadow governors" of provinces in Afghanistan have also reportedly been arrested in Pakistan.At least four Taliban "shadow governors" of provinces in Afghanistan have also reportedly been arrested in Pakistan.
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