Dozen explosions, gunfire heard near US embassy in Kabul
By Reuters / AFP
Published: April 15, 2012
KABUL: At least a dozen large explosions and automatic gunfire rocked Kabul on Sunday in what appeared to be a coordinated attack across several areas of the city centre and concentrated on the heavily guarded diplomatic area, Reuters witnesses said.
According to witnesses, suicide bombers took over Kabul hotel, launch rocket and rifle fire.
Gunfire appeared to be coming from various directions in the barricaded diplomatic area of the city, close to both the US and British embassies, and embassy alarms were sounding.
Smoke billowed from the direction of the German embassy, while explosions from rocket-propelled grenades rocked nearby buildings. The embassies were not immediately available to comment.
Afghan security forces were scrambling to reinforce areas around the so-called green zone.
Gunfire and blasts heard in Kabul
Multiple blasts and gunfire have been heard in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul.
The central district is home to a number of international embassies and there are also reports the parliament building is under attack.
Residents were reportedly running for cover and sirens wailing in the Wazir Akbar Khan district.
There is normally a surge in the number of Taliban attacks at this time of year following a relative lull in winter.
There are reports of at least seven large explosions in central Kabul and gunfire from various directions in the heavily barricaded diplomatic zone.
Some explosions were heard near the parliament building in western Kabul and police said it may be under attack.
Witnesses told Reuters news agency this appeared to be a co-ordinated attack and a parliamentary spokesperson told the agency rockets had been fired at parliament and the Russian embassy.
Smoke was said to be billowing from the direction of the German embassy.
The Agence France-Presse news agency reports that the newly built Kabul Star hotel is on fire.
Its reporters said they heard the US embassy sounding alarms and warning staff to take cover.
There are also reports of gunfire from a number of other parts of the capital.
BBC News - Gunfire and blasts heard in Kabul