Afghanistan: presidential palace attacked in Kabul

 

Militants have attacked the presidential palace and government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

More than half a dozen explosions were heard as they clashed with security personnel at the palace's eastern gate, the defence ministry and a CIA station.

The police said all of the attackers were killed. The Taliban said they carried out the assault.

The incident comes days after President Hamid 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".
The attack near the presidential palace, in the central district of Shash Darak, began at about 06:30 local time (02:00 GMT).

The militants initially targeted the palace's eastern gate - a few hundred metres from the actual building - where dozens of journalists had gathered for a news conference with Mr Karzai scheduled for 09:00.
It is not clear whether the president was at the palace when it came under attack, but our correspondent says the area is now under lockdown. The government has yet to comment.

Later, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a text message: "A number of martyrs attacked the presidential palace, defence ministry and the Ariana Hotel."

The Ariana Hotel is known to house a CIA station.

The assailants reportedly made their way into a nearby building before eventually being killed.

Kabul's police chief, Aoub Salangi, said the attack was brought to an end just under two hours after the first shots were fired. He said there were thought to have been four attackers, and that they had used a fake vehicle security pass to pass through checkpoints.

The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force wrote on Twitter that the Afghan National Security Forces had led "the response efforts".

Last week, Isaf handed over responsibility for security to the ANSF for the first time since the Taliban government was ousted in 2001.

International troops will remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2014, providing military back-up when needed.