KABUL - At least two Afghan police officers and two assailants were killed during ongoing clashes in the capital Kabul after multiple explosions that left at least two Afghan police officials, an Italian woman and other foreign nationals injured in the midst of one of Kabul’s diplomatic quarters on Friday. The attackers, before holding up in a building in the Shahr-i-Naw locality, set off a bomb followed by numerous smaller explosions and gunfire and were still engaged in a gun-battle with security forces.
An Italian official seriously injured the attack was taken in with some injured Nepalese and members of the Afghan police to be treated at a hospital run by the Italian non-governmental organization Emergency, the Italian foreign ministry said. The woman reportedly works for the United Nations.
UN and international agency workers were sent into bomb shelters as the attack continued and authorities ordered lockdowns of embassies and international facilities throughout the city.
The attackers apparently targeted the International Organization of Migration; a hospital used by the national intelligence service; and a nearby hotel, the Park Palace, all adjoining or close to the main compound of the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan.
The first explosion was so powerful that it was heard at least two miles away. At least four attackers were seen running toward the United Nations compound.
There were no initial reports of fatalities, but two wounded police officers were seen being evacuated from the scene.
The Taliban claimed a squad of suicide attackers was targeting a guesthouse used by the Central Intelligence Agency “to train Afghan spies.” Zabiullah Mujahid said the initial blast was a suicide car bomb, which blew down the facility’s outer wall, allowing other attackers to storm inside armed with light and heavy weapons. “We believe there are massive casualties inflicted on the CIA.,” he said.
The Interior Ministry said “two or three” suicide attackers were holed up and in a gunfight with Afghan police.
Police said one of the attackers was killed, who had been firing a rocket-propelled grenade launcher at authorities.
The fire exchange is underway in the downtown district of Borj-i- Sharahah in the limits of fourth police district, Kabul police spokesman Hashmatullah Stanikzai told Pajhwok Afghan News.
The area has been cordoned off by security forces who are engaged in a gun-battle with the attackers, Stanikzai said, adding police reinforcements had arrived at the scene to overwhelm the attackers.
Eyewitnesses said first a suicide attacker blew up his explosives, sending a plume of smoke in the air, and then other attackers started firing. (Pajhwok)