Kabul, Jan 18 (DPA) An unknown number of Taliban militants occupied a building in central Kabul close to the presidential palace Monday and shots and explosions were heard from the area, police and witnesses said.
The militants fired at the southern gate of the presidential palace and at finance and justice ministries from Foreshgah Buzerg Afghan, a shopping complex where they took up position, said a police official.
“Police, army forces and intelligence forces are preparing to raid the building,” he said.
At least one rocket also hit the garden of Serena Hotel, the only five-star hotel in Kabul, one of the foreign guests said. He said they were whisked off to the basement for their safety. The hotel is adjacent to the Taliban-occupied building.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told DPA that as many as 20 of their fighters, including suicide bombers, had entered the city to target government buildings, including the presidential palace.
There were no reports of casualties yet.
