Afghan Presidential palace under Taliban attack.

[Albatross]

Explosions and gunfire have erupted in Kabul, with police confirming an attack in the centre of the Afghan capital but unable to give further details.

"There is an ongoing militant attack in central Kabul," Mohammad Zahir, Kabul police CID chief, told AFP news agency after the attack began at about 6:30am local time on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera's producer Qais Azimy, reporting from the scene, said the attack was under way at the presidential palace even as a conference was due to take place.

He said it was unclear who was responsible for the attack but that it mirrored recent previous attacks and was coordinated.

A number of the attackers targeted the west gate which is near the CIA office, our producer said, adding that black smoke was beilowing out of the office.

He said the assault, which was under way for half an hour, and was intensifying.

Azimy also said President Hamid Karzai was likely to be in his office at this time as he was due to address the media.
Taliban attacks Kabul presidential compound - Central & South Asia - Al Jazeera English

 

[mitth]

Kabul: A series of explosions and gunfire was today heard outside the presidential palace in Kabul, one of the most heavily guarded areas in the Afghan capital. The Kabul police confirmed the militant attack which erupted at one of the gates of the complex began at about 6:30 am.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. In a text-message statement to reporters, the Taliban said, "We brought death to the enemy."

Reporters gathering for an event early on Tuesday with President Hamid Karzai counted at least a half dozen explosions outside the eastern gate of the palace. Small arms fire also could be heard.
Kabul: Explosions, gunfire outside presidential palace; Taliban claim responsibility for attack | NDTV.com

 

[Albatross]

Militants have attacked security forces near the presidential palace in the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul.

A BBC correspondent says the assailants are embroiled in clashes with President Hamid Karzai's bodyguards, as well as US personnel from the nearby CIA station.

There have been a series of loud explosions, sending debris flying.

The attack comes only days after Mr Karzai raised objections about US-backed peace talks with the Taliban.

He said the High Peace Council, the government body set up to lead peace efforts, would not take part unless the process was "Afghan-led".

BBC News - Afghanistan presidential palace attacked in Kabul

(Reuters) - Gunmen attacked the Afghan presidential palace early on Tuesday, with explosions and gunfire shaking the city center.

A Reuters reporter at the palace said the attack began soon after 6.30 a.m. (0200 GMT) on the building's east gate. Reporters were gathering for a press event with President Hamid Karzai.

It was not immediately clear whether Karzai was inside the building at the time of the assault.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/25/us-afghanistan-attack-idUSBRE95O03020130625

 

[EagleEyes]

Retaliation for mass killing recently?

 

[mitth]

hamid karzai is in palace or not not confirmed

 

[Albatross]

hamid karzai is in palace or not not confirmed

I just hope that scumbag gets killed by a bullet or blown into pieces by a bomb it would be a blessing for the future of afghanistan and this region. But as they are saying reporters were gathered for a press conference most probably he must be inside these rumors are just circulated to make Talibs withdraw without killing that sonofabitch.

 

[PakEagle]

I saw the ticker on ary news that Karzai is badly injured

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

another audacious attack in the most secure part of the country

Karzai's grip on the power he's held since 2001 is noise-diving.

Most of us predicted this already since history has a habit of repeating itself. Then again, current govt. is a hostile one as far as most of us are concerned so i dont think many people here (at least I) will be crying tears over it

a mentally unstable person whose dead brother was a drug baron and whose cronies pilfer every thin dime given to them (sounds familiar) cannot last long

if they cant even protect a heavily fortified Kabul, then only God could save them

 

[Albatross]

I saw the ticker on ary news that Karzai is badly injured

I just hope that scumbag gets killed by a bullet or blown into pieces by a bomb it would be a blessing for the future of afghanistan and this region. But as they are saying reporters were gathered for a press conference most probably he must be inside these rumors are just circulated to make Talibs withdraw without killing that sonofabitch.

 

[PakEagle]

I just hope that scumbag gets killed by a bullet or blown into pieces by a bomb it would be a blessing for the future of afghanistan and this region. But as they are saying reporters were gathered for a press conference most probably he must be inside these rumors are just circulated to make Talibs withdraw without killing that sonofabitch.

Well if they kill Karzai that would be a very big prize for Taliban.

 

[Albatross]

Well if they kill Karzai that would be a very big prize for Taliban.

I couldnt see that ticker on any news channel may be they are trying to hide something but yes it would be a great victory for talibs as there is no one else in afghanistan at the moment that can serve so mercilessly like him both india and US . For Pakistan it would be a great news.

 

[PakEagle]

It looks like a response to Karzai's humiliating language towards Taliban Qatar office .

 

[Albatross]

The Taliban say they have hit one of the most secure areas of the Afghan capital with a suicide attack, as a series of explosion rocked the gate leading into the presidential palace.

Smoke rose from the eastern gate of the palace early Tuesday after more than a half dozen explosions and at least 45 minutes of on-and-off small arms fire.

The Taliban sent a quick text-message statement saying "we brought death to the enemy."

The palace is in a large fortified area of downtown Kabul that also includes the U.S. Embassy and the headquarters for the NATO-led coalition forces.

Reporters gathering for an event with President Hamid Karzai counted at least seven or eight explosions starting about 6:30 a.m.

Police had no immediate comment.

Taliban Attack Presidential Palace in Afghanistan - ABC News

Talibans ability to carry out attacks repeatedly in the most sensitive and secured parts of kabul clearly proves the failure of US , Nato and ANA .

 

[PakEagle]

According to a CBC news reporter who is giving live coverage to this incident " Kabul is shaking with repeated explosions of high intensity and gunfire from sophisticated weapons " . Many of the reporters are stuck inside palace while others are not allowed to move near the palace at the moment and large contingent of Nato and ANA troops are rushing towards presidential palace but he dint mention anything about Karzai getting injured .

 

[Kompromat]

@Abu Zolfiqar

Its one of those "Messanger Attacks".