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Herat explosion: Afghanistan Taliban attack consulate Herat explosion: Afghanistan Taliban attack consulate
(34 minutes later)
There has been a huge explosion outside the US consulate in Herat in western Afghanistan. Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan have attacked the US consulate in the western city of Herat.
The Taliban told the BBC a suicide bomber had detonated explosives, and other fighters attacked the building. The Taliban told the BBC a suicide bomber had detonated explosives outside the building before dawn on Friday.
Initial reports say seven people have been wounded. A gun battle between insurgents and security forces is ongoing. Other fighters then opened fire on the consulate. Several Afghan police are reported to have been killed and injured in the gun battle.
It is the latest in a series of attacks ahead of the withdrawal of foreign combat troops from Afghanistan in 2014.It is the latest in a series of attacks ahead of the withdrawal of foreign combat troops from Afghanistan in 2014.
An Afghan army spokesman told the BBC that the initial explosion had damaged outer defences of the US consulate, allowing the attackers to breach the perimeter and shoot at the consulate buildings.
Herat, close to the Iranian border, has been relatively peaceful in recent years.
The BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says the attack - carried out in the shadow of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the US - is a demonstration of the ability of insurgents still to disrupt Afghanistan 12 years on.
Earlier this month Taliban targeted the Torkham US base in eastern Afghanistan, sparking a lengthy gun battle in which three insurgents were killed.