Kabul rocket strikes intended for Kerry: Taliban

The Taliban militant group claims that US Secretary of State John Kerry was the intended target of recent rocket attacks in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.

According to the reports, in a statement Sunday, the militant group claimed responsibility for the Saturday attacks, saying they were aimed at Kerry, who made a surprise visit to Kabul.

At least three explosions rocked the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital after Kerry left the city following meetings with Afghan officials including President Ashraf Ghani.

Gunshots were also heard but the exact cause of the explosions was not immediately clear.

There was no additional information to verify the Taliban's claim.

According to Al Jazeera, rockets hit near the presidential palace and a compound housing the US embassy and the CIA.

Afghan government spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said no casualties resulted from the attacks.

Before the strikes, Kerry said in a joint statement with Afghanistan's president, “We call on the Taliban to enter into a peace process ... that provides equal rights protection for all Afghans and brings to an end the violence.”

SS