Explosions, gunfire reported at Afghan presidential compound
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KABUL — A series of explosions followed by intense gunfire were heard near an entrance to the presidential palace compound and the main CIA station in the heart of the Afghan capital early Tuesday, witnesses said.
Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was part of the militants’ spring offensive. The Taliban said the attackers included suicide bombers. There were no immediate reports of possible casualties.
There were reports that the CIA station was on fire, but they could not be confirmed.
Afghan officials refused to speak about the incident.
The attack came on the day visiting U.S. special envoy James Dobbins was expected to join President Hamid Karzai at a press conference inside the presidential palace.
The palace is on a sprawling compound with various heavily fortififed entrances.
