Afghanistan President Mr. Hamid Karzai has said security has been restored in Kabul after a Taliban attack this morning that left five civilians and seven militants dead. Afghan President said in a statement that the enemies of Afghanistan are trying to spread fear among Kabul citizens. Interior ministry said seven militants were killed in gunfight in different incidents while at least five people including a child were killed and nearly 40 wounded in the multiple attacks.All Indian nationals are reported to be safe and have been advised to restrict their movement. Earlier, a suicide car bomber exploded himself at the entrance of a shopping center near foreign ministry while militants entered a multi storey shopping center near the only five star hotel and engaged security personnel in gun fighting for more than a hour. There was complete chaos in the areas as bomb explosions, rocket attacks and gun shots were heard near the only five-star hotel and residents of the hotel were taken to basement for security.Fire was reported from a portion of the hotel and a shopping center nearby was completely burnt. Intermittent gun fighting can still be heard and some militants are suspected to be holed in other locations in the center of the city. Security personnel have cordoned the whole area and roads are closed for normal traffic.Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack saying multiple suicide bombers have entered the city to carry out the attack. Afghan capital Kabul has seen multiple militant attacks and suicide bombings in recent past and violence is surging in the war-torn country.
News On AIR | January 19, 2010 1:14 PM
Security restored in Kabul: Karzai