LOC14:32
11:32 GMT
ISLAMABAD, April 15 (KUNA) -- Bursts of gunfire and several heavy blasts
were reported Sunday afternoon near the US embassy after a suicide blast hit a
luxurious hotel in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, said reports.
According to Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN), first explosions hit the central
Wazir Akbar Khan diplomatic enclave area, which is home to a number of
embassies and a NATO base. Soon after the first explosions, gunfire erupted
and attackers stormed the Kabul Star Hotel in front of the Iranian embassy.
Since then, said PAN, more than 10 explosions have been reported and heavy
gunfire continued for more than 30 minutes.
Citing witnesses, PAN reported that smoke billowed from a couple of
buildings in the locality, where sirens were wailing. Heavily-barricaded
British and German embassies, as well as an American military centre and the
Presidential Palace, are also located in the area.
The hotel caught fire after the attack, but confirmation from security
officials was not immediately available. Elsewhere, some assailants took up
positions in an under-construction building in Darul Aman area, firing a
volley of rockets and gunshots at the old parliament building.
Meanwhile, a Taliban spokesman said that several government offices were
simultaneously attacked in Kabul, Logar, Nangarhar and Paktia provinces.
Zabihullah Mujahid added clashes between the assailants and security personnel
were still underway. However, he had no casualty figures. (end)
amn.mt
KUNA 151432 Apr 12NNNN