Forces in Kabul have managed to secure a diplomatic compound in the center of the Afghan capital after battling Taliban militants. All of the attackers have been killed in the siege.
The attackers had been involved in a guesthouse assault near the Spanish embassy in Kabul. They have now been killed by Afghan security forces who battled the militants for hours.
Attackers blew up a car bomb late before at least three militants stormed a heavily protected compound that is close to several embassies and government buildings.
Throughout the course of the standoff the neighborhood of Sherpur was rocked by at least five more explosions and hours of gunfire. The suicide car bombing which initiated the attack happened close to the guesthouse, Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Ayub Salangi told reporters.
Several foreign embassies, NGO buildings and senior officials’ residences are located in the area. The perimeter was immediately cordoned off by police and other law-enforcement personnel.
A Spanish security officer was killed in the attack, Interior Minister spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on Saturday, adding that at least seven people had been injured and were being treated in a nearby hospital. Security forces managed to rescue three Spanish citizens.
After hours of standoff, all the attackers were killed in a standoff. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.