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Fourteen killed as Taliban attacks Kabul, 40 wounded

ISLAMABAD, Jan 18 (KUNA) -- About nine insurgents and four security personnel were killed on Monday as Taliban militants and suicide bombers stormed government ministries and shopping malls in the Afghan capital of Kabul amidst President Hamid Karzais cabinet members were being sworn in.
Nine insurgents, four security personnel and a child were killed and 40 others were wounded in the gunbattle, which erupted earlier in the morning, local media, citing Afghan officials and security sources, reported.
Reports said that the insurgents attacked Defense, Interior, and Law ministries, and also the offices of state bank, Sarena hotel, shopping centers and other sensitive buildings. They added that at least eight buildings were destroyed by fire.
Spokesman for Afghan Defense Ministry, General Zahir Azeemi, told newsmen that first a rocket hit the gate of Afghan state bank office. The explosion was followed by a heavy trade of fire between the insurgents and Afghan security forces, which continued for about four hours.
Syed Abdul Ghaffar, head of criminal investigation department, confirmed two militants were killed. However, the reports citing security sources said that four suicide bombers blew themselves up and five were gunned down. They said that about 40 others were wounded. (pickup previous) amn.bs KUNA 182006 Jan 10NNNN