Explosions and gunfire rock Kabul

13 September 2011 Last updated at 05:59 ET

Soldiers and police are engaged in an exchange of gunfire

An ongoing bomb and gun attack is rocking the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul, with a string of blasts targeting the US embassy and Nato’s Isaf headquarters.

A string of loud blasts was heard and insurgents are believed to be holed up in a building in the area.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

It comes weeks after suicide attackers stormed the city’s British Council office, killing 12 people.

The Taliban also claimed responsibility for that hours-long attack on 19 August, saying it was to mark the anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence from the UK in 1919.

Co-ordinated attack

Tuesday’s violence appears to be a complex attack with a number of suicide bombers involved, says the BBC’s Quentin Sommerville in the Afghan capital.

Our correspondent says a number of attackers have taken refuge in a partly-built high-rise building overlooking the area, from where they are coordinating their actions.

He has seen rocket-propelled grenades being fired in the area.

Initial reports suggest at least four suicide bombers have been involved, with one reportedly detonating a suicide vest in a taxi.

As well as housing the US and other foreign embassies, and Nato’s Afghan headquarters, the upmarket district is home to a number of government ministry buildings and the presidential palace.

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