Cebu_4_2
12th September 2013, 09:24 PM
US consulate in Afghanistan rocked by multiple blasts, gunfire
Published time: September 13, 2013 02:35
Edited time: September 13, 2013 03:16 Get short URL (http://rt.com/news/afghanistan-attack-us-consulate-799/)
http://rt.com/files/news/20/6b/f0/00/27.si.jpg Screenshot from facebook.com/E.malikzada/
The US consulate in the Afghan province of Herat was reportedly under attack with at least six killed, four of them attackers, after a car bomb explosion was followed by a gun fight between militant and security forces.
Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, the governor of the Herat province, told the Associated Press it was unclear if any of the attackers were able to make their way inside the American compound. The Taliban told the BBC one of its suicide bombers had been responsible for the blast in Herat.
Journalist Esmatullah Koshar reported that “an armed clash was underway near the US consulate building” in Herat.
“The explosion was carried out by a vehicle borne suicide bomber outside US consulate,” he wrote, adding there was “a dense smoke in the air.”
Early reports indicated all the attackers were killed by Afghan security forces and seven civilians were wounded, although some media outlets speculated the number hurt could be closer to 15. The entire episode reportedly lasted between 30 and 35 minutes.
This incident, on the heels of the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, is the just the most recent violence aimed at US troops as they prepare to make a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014.
A second blast was reported in the parking lot of the consulate a short time after the original explosion. Afghanis wrote on Twitter that US troops were seen “shooting randomly” near the consulate, although those reports are unverified.
NATO and ISAF helicopters were reported to be flying overhead and shops throughout the region abruptly closed down.
Multiple sources are reporting that the attack is “ongoing.” The ISAF has confirmed an attack on the consulate.
General Rahmatullah Safi, the chief of police in Herat, told the AP that an afghan translator had died. Two police officers and two Afghan security guards at the US consulate were hurt, with at least one of the men trapped under the rubble.
The ISAF confirmed via Twitter that the consulate is secured and consulate security forces “defeated” the attackers.
Five Taliban suicide bombers reportedly entered the consulate building, according to New york Times journalist Sharifullah Sahak. Four were able to explode themselves before the fifth was apprehended.
MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Published time: September 13, 2013 02:35
Edited time: September 13, 2013 03:16 Get short URL (http://rt.com/news/afghanistan-attack-us-consulate-799/)
http://rt.com/files/news/20/6b/f0/00/27.si.jpg Screenshot from facebook.com/E.malikzada/
The US consulate in the Afghan province of Herat was reportedly under attack with at least six killed, four of them attackers, after a car bomb explosion was followed by a gun fight between militant and security forces.
Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, the governor of the Herat province, told the Associated Press it was unclear if any of the attackers were able to make their way inside the American compound. The Taliban told the BBC one of its suicide bombers had been responsible for the blast in Herat.
Journalist Esmatullah Koshar reported that “an armed clash was underway near the US consulate building” in Herat.
“The explosion was carried out by a vehicle borne suicide bomber outside US consulate,” he wrote, adding there was “a dense smoke in the air.”
Early reports indicated all the attackers were killed by Afghan security forces and seven civilians were wounded, although some media outlets speculated the number hurt could be closer to 15. The entire episode reportedly lasted between 30 and 35 minutes.
This incident, on the heels of the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, is the just the most recent violence aimed at US troops as they prepare to make a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014.
A second blast was reported in the parking lot of the consulate a short time after the original explosion. Afghanis wrote on Twitter that US troops were seen “shooting randomly” near the consulate, although those reports are unverified.
NATO and ISAF helicopters were reported to be flying overhead and shops throughout the region abruptly closed down.
Multiple sources are reporting that the attack is “ongoing.” The ISAF has confirmed an attack on the consulate.
General Rahmatullah Safi, the chief of police in Herat, told the AP that an afghan translator had died. Two police officers and two Afghan security guards at the US consulate were hurt, with at least one of the men trapped under the rubble.
The ISAF confirmed via Twitter that the consulate is secured and consulate security forces “defeated” the attackers.
Five Taliban suicide bombers reportedly entered the consulate building, according to New york Times journalist Sharifullah Sahak. Four were able to explode themselves before the fifth was apprehended.
MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW