Gunmen attack on Afghan Info ministry in Kabul

Gunmen have attacked the Afghan ministry of information in the centre of the capital Kabul, officials say.

An explosion was heard at 11:40 local time (07:10 GMT) while sporadic gunfire is continuing.

A ministry source told the BBC that there were at least three attackers, one of whom got inside the building.

The attack comes a day after talks between Afghan officials and the Taliban were suspended, but the Taliban said they were not behind the assault.

Although Kabul still sees heavy fighting, Saturday’s attack comes after months of relative calm.

The attack happened in a busy area of central Kabul, near one of the city’s most popular hotels, a couple of other ministries, and the presidential palace.

Another of the attackers detonated his explosives at the boundary wall, and the third was shot dead by police.

The Serena Hotel, which is heavily fortified, is one of the few still used by foreign visitors.

At 18 storeys high, the information ministry building is believed to be one of the tallest in Kabul.

Footage broadcast on local TV showed a small cloud of smoke rising near the tower block, while people tried to climb out of the windows of one of the lower levels, AFP news agency reported.

Hundreds of civilians had been evacuated from the building, the ministry said.

Six people are so far reported to have been taken to hospital for treatment.

The Taliban’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said the organisation was not behind Saturday’s attack.

The Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has carried out a number of deadly attacks in Kabul but has not so far said it was behind this one.

 

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