Taliban attack U.S. embassy, NATO in Kabul

Explosions and gunshots were heard in the centre of the Afghan capital on Tuesday, a police official said.

“A series of explosions have been heard followed by gunshots. We are looking into the incident,” Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai said.

The explosions and shots were heard near the US embassy and headquarters of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

“Our comrades have attacked several government, diplomatic, intelligence and US embassy buildings in Kabul,” Zabiullah Mujahid said by phone from an undisclosed location.

“They are using different types of weapons, including suicide vests, machine guns, a new weapon called “82” which is shot like an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade).” Witnesses said the attackers had taken over a 13-storey building under construction in the Abdul Haq Square, next to ISAF and the embassy.