Video: Afghan presidential palace attacked in Kabul

25 June 2013 03:27 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Militants have attacked security forces near the presidential palace in the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul.

A BBC correspondent says the assailants are embroiled in clashes with President Hamid Karzai's bodyguards, as well as security personnel from the nearby ministry of defence and a CIA station.

The Taliban have said they are carrying out the attack.

The incident comes only days after Mr Karzai raised objections about US-backed peace talks with the Taliban.

He said the High Peace Council, the government body set up to lead peace efforts, would not take part unless the process was "Afghan-led".

The attack near the presidential palace, in the area of Shash Darak, began at about 06:30 local time (02:00 GMT), witnesses and police said.

The militants initially targeted the palace's eastern gate, where dozens of journalists had gathered for a news conference with President Karzai.

The BBC's Bilal Sarwary, who was among the crowd of journalists, says they were forced to run for cover as bullets flew overhead.

The journalists heard several explosions, and reports said grenades were being thrown.

The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) wrote on Twitter: "Small arms fire and multiple explosions reported in #Kabul. Situation developing."

The CIA station and the Afghan ministry of defence are among the many official buildings and embassies situated near the palace.

It is not clear whether the president was at the palace when it came under attack.(BBC)

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Comments - 12

Ramanan Tuesday, 25 June 2013 04:03 AM

Taliban are not a formidable fighting force like LTTE. However they managed to attack the the most secured place in the country despite US led NATO backing. We are proud as Sri Lankans for crushing terrorism from this country in our own.

nalaka Tuesday, 25 June 2013 04:34 AM

ideally US should not fight back because it will violate human rights of the terrorist

mercy Tuesday, 25 June 2013 05:31 AM

Aboslutely true the battle is won not the conflict .It is also absolutely true the root causes continue to be shredded to the bin by the continous racist sinhala regimes. Also assured the state sponsored ethnic hate, which is totally against the damma phada , would continue the vicious cycle of violence .

warra Tuesday, 25 June 2013 05:33 AM

Taliban are a hit and run force. im sure if you deploy the SL forces they will get the job done.

Gemba Tuesday, 25 June 2013 05:38 AM

Afghanistan is a LOST cause. The fighting will never stop in that country, till everyone is dead.

ANTON Tuesday, 25 June 2013 05:45 AM

THE ONLY MAN IN THE WORLD WHO CAN GIVE A PROPER ADVICE FOR THIS IS OUR BIG CHEESE.

Vertex Tuesday, 25 June 2013 05:59 AM

This US orchestrated attack on Karazai as he was opposed to talks with Taliban. Now the US game plan has changed and wants to install a Government run by proxy Taliban. This has been the case since long and the whole world is hood winked to something else. After all Taliban is an American ally since long.

The Old Man Tuesday, 25 June 2013 06:28 AM

"The incident comes only days after Mr Karzai raised objections about US-backed peace talks with the Taliban"

They object and get punished. US=Taliban. and no one will believe this when i tell.

The Old Man Tuesday, 25 June 2013 06:28 AM

"The incident comes only days after Mr Karzai raised objections about US-backed peace talks with the Taliban"

They object and get punished. US=Taliban. and no one will believe this when i tell.

R Tuesday, 25 June 2013 09:19 AM

Where ever the US went , it is a bloddy mess : IRAQ / AFGANISTAN now SYRIA. US is OIL greedy MORONS. They are so worried about the countries exporting OIL since those companies trade in US dollars, which helps US economy. If not for this US will be worse than Somalia (In terns of Economy only)

raj Wednesday, 26 June 2013 05:07 AM

True, and no civilians to violate their human rights too..

raj Wednesday, 26 June 2013 05:12 AM

USA went to Japan also, its not in a mess?

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Video: Afghan presidential palace attacked in Kabul

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