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Gunmen attack presidential palace in Kabul | Gunmen attack presidential palace in Kabul |
(35 minutes later) | |
Gunmen have attacked the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul, with explosions and gunfire shaking the city centre. | Gunmen have attacked the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul, with explosions and gunfire shaking the city centre. |
The attack began soon after 6.30am local time (3am BST) on the building's east gate. | The attack began soon after 6.30am local time (3am BST) on the building's east gate. |
Smoke rose from the gate of the palace after more than half a dozen explosions and at least 45 minutes of intermittent small arms fire. | |
About 20 reporters gathering for a press event with President Hamid Karzai were trapped in front of the building. | About 20 reporters gathering for a press event with President Hamid Karzai were trapped in front of the building. |
The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility for what they said was a suicide attack and said they were also targeting the nearby defence ministry and other buildings. | |
"Today at 6.30am a number of martyrs attacked the presidential palace, defence ministry and the Ariana Hotel," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a text message. | |
The Ariana Hotel is known to house the headquarters of the CIA in Afghanistan. | |
The BBC reported that the attackers were exchanging fire with Karzai's bodyguards and US personnel from the CIA station. | |
An al-Jazeera producer, Qais Azimy, who was on the scene, said smoke could be seen billowing from the CIA office. | |
The palace is in a large fortified area of downtown Kabul that also includes the US embassy and the headquarters for the NATO-led coalition forces. | |
Police had no immediate comment. | Police had no immediate comment. |
It was not immedately clear whether Karzai was inside the building at the time of the assault. | It was not immedately clear whether Karzai was inside the building at the time of the assault. |
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