Taliban claim responsibility for Kabul attack

, June 25: The Taliban has claimed responsibility for Tuesday's

on the presidential palace here. Media reports said that they were also targetting the nearby

defence ministry and other official establishments.

Explosions and gunfire erupted in the capital of Afghanistan early on Tuesday and the police later confirmed that it was a militant attack at the heart of the city although they couldn't give further details.

"There is an ongoing militant attack in central Kabul," Kabul police CID chief Mohammad Zahir said after the attack began at about 6:30 am.

The US embassy sounded its "duck and cover" alarm drill while sources in the US-led Nato military alliance said small arms fire and multiple explosions were reported in Kabul.

The Taliban said that the attackers included suicide bombers. Afghan officials, however, did not comment on the incident.

The attack occurred as the US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins is visiting Kabul to speak with President Hamid Karzai and other officials.

Reports also said that the main CIA station located in the area was put on fire but they could not be confirmed.

OneIndia News