Blasts hit UK compound in Kabul

19 August 2011 Last updated at 00:07 ET

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blasts

Two explosions have gone off at a British compound in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The British Council was the target of the attacks, a spokesman for the Nato-led force said. The Taliban – who said they were behind the attack – later confirmed this.

At least three people died and nine were injured in the blasts, Afghan police say.

Sporadic gunfire was heard from the area after the explosions.

The first blast went off at 05:38 (01:08 GMT), with a second 10 minutes later.

The explosions were caused by suicide attacks, Kabul’s police chief Ayub Salangi told the AFP news agency.

“(There were) two explosions at the British Council but at this stage, we’re still gathering facts,” said Maj Jason Waggoner, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force, according to AFP.

Smoke can be seen rising from the area, the BBC’s Masoud Popalzai says.

British forces later entered the area, with Afghan police helping them to secure the compound.

The British Embassy in Kabul has so far made no comment.

There also reports of a third blast – but this has not been officially confirmed.

The British Council is government-funded agency which runs mainly cultural programmes.

Friday is a national holiday in Afghanistan, marking the country’s independence from Great Britain in 1919.

— ’re ’s , . : A ‘Malign Intellectual Subculture’ – George Monbiot Smears Chomsky, Herman, Peterson, Pilger And Media Lens.