Blast, gunfire rock govt. compound in ongoing attack in Afghan capital

Several people have been injured as militants detonated a car packed with explosives before storming a Kabul government compound in an ongoing attack in the Afghan capital.

Interior Ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said a number of gunmen had entered the compound where the Ministry of Public Works and an office of the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled are located.

Sources said the raid began with a bomb-laden vehicle exploding at the entrance. That was followed by a second blast, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said, though he did not specify the nature of it.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the compound.

Witnesses said militants inside the compound were exchanging gunfire with security forces.

"They are also firing at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) facility nearby," said a witness who works at the Ministry of Public Works.

Health Ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh said that at least four people had been wounded in the assault. Some media reports said one had broken several bones after jumping from the third floor of a building to escape the attackers. Another two were wounded by broken glass.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, but it bears the hallmark of attacks carried out by Takfiri terrorist groups. 

Monday's attack was the biggest in Kabul since November 28 when the Taliban detonated a vehicle bomb outside the compound of British security firm G4S, which killed at least 10 people. 

SS