This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/25/gunmen-attack-kabul-presidential-palace

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
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.
They counted at least half a dozen explosions outside the gate but it was not immediately clear whether it was a suicide bomb attack, hand grenades or both. Small arms fire also could be heard. 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.
The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility for the attack and said they were also targeting the nearby defence ministry and other buildings.
A producer for al-Jazeera, Qais Azimy, who was at the scene, said black smoke was biilowing from the nearby CIA office.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.