Afghanistan capital Kabul hit by suicide attack

Explosions and gunfire in the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul, have left at least 17 people dead, officials say.

A suicide bomber detonated explosives near Kabul's main shopping centre. Several smaller blasts followed and two other attackers were shot dead.

A spokesman for the Taliban said they carried out the attacks. Two policemen are reported to be among the dead.

The violence comes as Nato and Afghan forces continue Operation Moshtarak to tackle the Taliban in Helmand province.

Kabul has been relatively quiet since 18 January, when Taliban bombers and gunmen attacked government targets and shopping malls, killing 12 people.

Friday's attack is also the Taliban's first major raid since the arrest of key leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in Pakistan this month.

The BBC's Martin Patience, in Kabul, says the first blast happened at 0630 local time (0200 GMT) close to the Kabul City Centre shopping area and the Safi Landmark Hotel.

The Park Residence Hotel, popular with foreigners, was also close to the main blast and there are unconfirmed reports that a number of foreign nationals may have been killed.

At least 32 people are reported to have been injured in the attacks.

Kabul police official Abdul Ghafor Sayedzada said a building in front of the hotel had caught fire.

At least two smaller explosions were reported and security forces exchanged fire with gunmen for several hours after sealing off the area.

Sirens blared across the city and announcements from loudspeakers warned people to stay indoors.

A British national staying at the Safi Landmark, Brian Briscombe, told the BBC he awoke to shattered glass and smoke.

He stayed in his hotel room for 30 minutes but then decided to leave.

"My hand was gashed and I wanted to get it treated. But a jumpy soldier screamed and almost shot me because he saw my backpack and thought for 10 seconds that I was a suicide bomber. Luckily he calmed down and I was allowed to leave."

Another witness, known only as Dr Azizi, said he was sleeping in his office 200m away when the first explosion occurred.

"After the initial bang, I heard two or more explosions and then gunfire. The message... is that we are not safe. With all the police checkpoints and...military personnel on the streets of Kabul, how do the terrorists still get in?"

Operation Moshtarak continues in Helmand in the south, aiming to drive the Taliban from their strongholds around Nad Ali and Marjah.

On Thursday, Maj Gen Nick Carter, commander of troops in southern Afghanistan, told the BBC there had been "a great deal of progress" in establishing security.

BBC News