Afghanistan presidential palace attacked in Kabul

[Poll_Blind]

Last edited Tue Jun 25, 2013, 12:04 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: BBC



Afghanistan presidential palace attacked in Kabul

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 US personnel from the nearby CIA station.

There have been a series of loud explosions, sending debris flying.



Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23042005

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Update #3:
9:03pm PST, 12:03am ESTAttack in Kabul reportedly has ended. Tweet from journalist indicates that ISAF HQ has sounded all-clear and others are also tweeting that Police chief has indicated all attackers have been killed.



Original message follows:

This event appeared to have started one hour before this post was made and may still be ongoing.

Attack on Afghan presidential palace; Taliban claim responsibility:

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

An AFP photographer said the attack had occurred close to the presidential palace and the ministry of defence, in an area of the city that contains many official buildings and embassies.

The US embassy sounded its “duck and cover” alarm drill and the US-led Nato military coalition said on its Twitter account: “Small arms fire and multiple explosions reported in Kabul. Situation developing.”

Explosions, ensuing firing near presidential palace in Kabul:

KABUL, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Several blasts and ensuing firing took place near the Afghan Presidential Palace in Kabul Tuesday morning, a source said.

"The incident happened in Shashdarak area in the eastern edge of the presidential palace," the source told Xinhua anonymously.

There was no immediate report of casualties in the clash that happened at around 6:30 a.m. local time.

Heavy gunfight and clash are going on at the moment, he said.

Grey smoke can be seen above the scene.

Local TV channels reported that more than 12 explosions hit the area, saying the attackers tried to assault the eastern gate of the palace.

Taliban claims responsibility for suicide attack in Kabul on presidential palace:

KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban claims responsibility for suicide attack in Kabul on presidential palace.

UPDATE #1:
Attack began at 6:30 am Kabul local time, 7:30pm PST, 10:30pm EST.

According to these unconfirmed tweets, attack may have come during Karzai press conference of some sort:




Update #2:




ANSF = Afghan National Security Force
ISAF = International Security Assistance Force (NATO)



PB

[cosmicone]

1. As long as Pakistani military exists

no one in Afghanistan or India is safe. They rule by terror and terror alone because they cannot engage in a head-on conventional fight.

Drones have been a great equalizing force.

[Hissyspit]

2. Seeing reports on Twitter that CIA office is on fire.

[Poll_Blind]

3. Me too, and that gunbattle includes fighting with CIA as well. nt

PB

[avaistheone1]

13. Yes, Reuters story the CIA office under fire too.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/06/25/afghanistan-attack-president-palace-idINDEE95O02220130625

[Harmony Blue]

4. This isn't going to end well

this is a multi pronged coordinated attack

[wordpix]

5. We have defended Karzai's corrupt gov for far too long

Don't ask me why.

This country learned nothing from the Vietnam quagmire and we're stuck in it again.

[Poll_Blind]

6. Karzai is crooked, opportunistic scum. Only the Taliban makes the dude look good in comparison. nt

PB

[Harmony Blue]

8. The Taliban wants to negotiate peace

Karzai does not, hence the the surprise offensive in Kabul.

[Poll_Blind]

9. Taliban and Karzai. Kind of an Andy Dick vs. William Shatner conundrum.

I realize that the Taliban peace talked were rejected by Karzai but I don't like either of them very much.

PB

[Hissyspit]

7. Only two recs for a very important story?

[Brother Buzz]

10. Patience, grasshoper

It's midnight on the east coast. This will be the story by morning.

[Hissyspit]

11. I live on the East Coast.

[Brother Buzz]

12. Yeah, but you must be on the swing shift

This West Coaster is experienced reading breaking stories at night, only to have the East Coast early birds nail down the particulars by the time I rise in the morning.

"I had a dream I was awake and I woke up to find myself asleep." - Stan Laurel