Rocket hits Kabul, no damage or casualties

KABUL, Aug 11 (Reuters) A rocket was fired on the Afghan capital today, the interior ministry said, as Afghan and Pakistani politicians and tribesmen held a third day of talks on ways to combat al Qaeda and Taliban attacks in their countries.

The rocket landed in an open ground in Kabul, several kms away from a high security zone where the grand peace jirga, or assembly, between the two countries is going on.

There was no damage or casualties, the interior ministry said, adding one suspect had been taken into custody.

It was not clear whether the jirga had been targeted.

The Taliban who largely rely on suicide attacks and roadside bombs against the government and foreign forces, have occasionally fired rockets on Kabul but without causing any serious damage.

Some 700 people including tribal chiefs, politicians and religious figures from Afghanistan and Pakistan are discussing ways to stop the growing insurgency by the Taliban and al Qaeda in the two nations.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is expected to fly to Kabul this weekend to attend the jirga following a telephone call from Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

Musharraf had pulled out of the four-day jirga which began on Thursday, citing pressing engagements at home. His absence was seen as a blow to the meeting already hit by a boycott by some Pakistani tribal elders.

Afghanistan has been badly hit by violence in the past 19 months, the worst since US-led troops overthrew Taliban's government from power in 2001.

Suicide raids and attacks have also increased in recent weeks in Pakistan where Kabul says the militants are trained, equipped and then sent to Afghanistan for carrying raids against the government and Western forces.

Pakistan says the violence in Afghanistan is largely an internal issue.

Reuters LPB DS1436