Taliban attack: Blasts near Indian Embassy in Kabul, gunmen occupy building

[Nair saab]

Kabul: Gunmen took up positions in a Kabul building on Friday in a Taliban-claimed attack in the city that began with at least two large explosions and long outbreaks of gunfire, police said.

TV reports said the blasts took place near the Indian Embassy in the Afghanistan capital. Reports also said all the Indians were safe.

"A number of attackers have taken positions in one building. We are not sure what the target is but there is the APPF (Afghan Public Protection Force) office and and some UN organisations in the area," police spokesman Hashmat Stanizkzai told AFP.

At least two explosions hit the centre of Kabul on Friday. Gunfire erupted as security forces rushed to the scene of the blasts, which occurred at about 4:00 pm (1130 GMT) on Friday, the first day of the Afghan weekend.

"There has been explosion in an area which is close to the NDS (intelligence agency) hospital and APPF (Afghan Public Protection Force) headquarters, we are investigating," Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai told AFP.

Jawed Kazem, a local shopkeeper, said: "I was sitting in my shop when the explosion happened. It was a big explosion which threw me off my chair, minutes later another explosion happened.

"Smoke is rising and gunfire is continuing."


Taliban attack: Blasts near Indian Embassy in Kabul, gunmen occupy building | Deccan Chronicle

 

[Nair saab]

Three explosions, gunfire near Indian embassy in Kabul



At least three explosions were reported from an area close to the Indian Embassy in Kabul on Friday, though there was no information of human casualties, if any.

Afghan Police and the NATO-led international coalition were unable to confirm the cause of the explosions, though it was rumored that there could be a Taliban hand involved.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the embassy was not the target and all the Indians present in the premises are safe.

The area has been cordoned off by the police.

It is the second explosion to hit Kabul in just over a week.

There were also reports of gunfire, even as security forces rushed to the scene of the multiple blasts, which occurred at about 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday.

"There has been explosion in an area which is close to the NDS (intelligence agency) hospital and APPF (Afghan Public Protection Force) headquarters, we are investigating," Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai was quoted, as saying.


Three explosions, gunfire near Indian embassy in Kabul : Asia, News - India Today

 

[Iggy]

Hope every one is safe there?? Sad to see Afghan is going back to the dark ages again!!

 

[Shinigami]

thats pakistan sending a message in the light of recent events