Blasts hit southern Afghan city

12/04/2010| IslamWeb

Gunshots and two explosions have been heard in the Afghan city of Kandahar.

Sustained gunfire and a "huge blast" were heard on Monday in the city centre shortly after 1:00 pm (08:30 GMT).

Qais Azimy, Al Jazeera's correspondent reporting from the Afghan capital of Kabul, said police believed at least two gunmen equipped with an explosives' vest tried to enter the headquarters of the intelligence office.

"They believe one of the gunmen detonated himself and the other is still engaged in fighting," Azimy said.

Taliban claim

He said the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack saying it was targeting specific officials at the intelligence office.

No causalities from the attack have yet been reported.

Earlier in the day, international troops opened fire on a bus carrying Afghan civilians in the nearby Zhari district, killing four people and setting off anti-American protests in Kandahar city.

Another 18 people were wounded in the incident, Zelmai Ayubi, a provincial government spokesman.

He said "international forces" took 12 of the wounded to a military hospital. Nato said it was investigating the shooting.

The Taliban have carried out attacks in recent months in various parts of the country, including Kandahar, which is the target of a mass offensive planned by Nato-led forces in coming months.

PHOTO CAPTION

An Afghan policemen stand guard with burning tires behind as protesters block a road during an anti-American protest in Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, April 12, 2010.

Al-Jazeera