Gunfire was heard in Kabul early Tuesday, with security forces searching for attackers hidden in a building a day after twin bombings near the Afghan Defense Ministry killed at least 24 people and wounded more than 90 others.
Sediq Sediqqi, the spokesman for the Afghan Interior Minister, said sporadic gunfire started again in the morning hours, not long after a suicide car bomber targeted the Kabul residential neighbourhood
of Shar-e Now or New City. The explosion was followed by gunfire that continued for over an hour with sporadic shootings.
At least one person is reported dead and six others were wounded as a result of the attack, said Sediqqi. “More than 30 people who were trapped have been evacuated by the security forces,” Sediqqi said.
The area is home to several guest houses and many foreigners and diplomats reside there. After the explosion, probably two more attackers entered one of the buildings in the area, believed to be a guest house, said Sediqqi.
Security forces have blocked all the roads leading to Shar-e Now.
The shooting comes after at least 24 people were killed Monday in twin bombings near the Afghan Defense Ministry. Two security force generals among those who were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Taliban.
Public Health Ministry spokesman Ismail Kawasi said another 91 people were wounded in the attack in central Kabul. Sediqqi, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said a district police chief and five other police officers were among those killed.
Deputy Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said the second bombing was caused by a suicide attacker who struck the area of the first blast after security forces had gathered there. He said the attack took place as ministry employees were leaving their offices for the day. Senior police investigator Faredoon Obiadi said the suicide attacker was wearing a military uniform.
A district police chief and an army general were among those killed in the attack, three officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release the information. Dozens of ambulances raced to the scene after the blasts, and security forces blocked off roads leading to the area.
Ashuqullah, 34, who like many Afghans has no surname, described the scene of chaos he witnessed.
“The second explosion was so strong, and many people, including security officials, were killed and wounded,” he said.
President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement, saying “the enemies of Afghanistan have lost their ability to fight the Security and Defense Forces of the country and thus attack highways, cities, mosques, schools and common people.”
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group had carried out the attack. The insurgents have been fighting to overthrow the US-backed government for 15 years, and frequently target Afghan security forces.
Sediq Sediqqi, the spokesman for the Afghan Interior Minister, said sporadic gunfire started again in the morning hours, not long after a suicide car bomber targeted the Kabul residential neighbourhood
of Shar-e Now or New City. The explosion was followed by gunfire that continued for over an hour with sporadic shootings.
At least one person is reported dead and six others were wounded as a result of the attack, said Sediqqi. “More than 30 people who were trapped have been evacuated by the security forces,” Sediqqi said.
The area is home to several guest houses and many foreigners and diplomats reside there. After the explosion, probably two more attackers entered one of the buildings in the area, believed to be a guest house, said Sediqqi.
Security forces have blocked all the roads leading to Shar-e Now.
The shooting comes after at least 24 people were killed Monday in twin bombings near the Afghan Defense Ministry. Two security force generals among those who were killed in the attack, which was claimed by the Taliban.
Public Health Ministry spokesman Ismail Kawasi said another 91 people were wounded in the attack in central Kabul. Sediqqi, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said a district police chief and five other police officers were among those killed.
Deputy Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said the second bombing was caused by a suicide attacker who struck the area of the first blast after security forces had gathered there. He said the attack took place as ministry employees were leaving their offices for the day. Senior police investigator Faredoon Obiadi said the suicide attacker was wearing a military uniform.
A district police chief and an army general were among those killed in the attack, three officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release the information. Dozens of ambulances raced to the scene after the blasts, and security forces blocked off roads leading to the area.
Ashuqullah, 34, who like many Afghans has no surname, described the scene of chaos he witnessed.
“The second explosion was so strong, and many people, including security officials, were killed and wounded,” he said.
President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement, saying “the enemies of Afghanistan have lost their ability to fight the Security and Defense Forces of the country and thus attack highways, cities, mosques, schools and common people.”
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group had carried out the attack. The insurgents have been fighting to overthrow the US-backed government for 15 years, and frequently target Afghan security forces.