U.S., NATO buildings attacked in Kabul

Taliban insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles at the U.S. Embassy, NATO headquarters and other buildings in the heart of the Afghan capital Tuesday in a brazen attack two days after the United States marked the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

The American Embassy and NATO both said no staff were wounded. Afghan officials said at least one Afghan police officer and two insurgents had been killed as gunfire and explosions resounded across the city well into the afternoon.

The surge of violence was a stark reminder of the instability that continues to plague Afghanistan nearly a decade after the U.S. invasion that ousted the Taliban for harboring al-Qaida, which carried out the 9/11 plane hijackings.

It was the third major attack in Kabul since late June, casting fresh doubts on the ability of Afghans to secure their own country as the U.S. and other foreign troops prepare to withdraw by the end of 2014.

Plumes of smoke rose from the area near the embassy and U.S. Army helicopters buzzed overhead.

The gunmen were firing from a tall office building that is under construction at Abdul Haq square, which is about 300 metres from the U.S. Embassy.

Police said the attack began when about half a dozen insurgents took over the building and began firing toward the embassy and the adjacent NATO headquarters.

"The gunbattle is continuing," Interior Ministry spokesman Sadiq Sadiqi said.

Embassy staff ordered to take cover

The American Embassy is on the edge of the Wazir Akbar Khan area, which is home to a number of other foreign missions.

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Kerri Hannan said that staff had been ordered to take cover in hardened structures.

She later issued a statement confirming an attack by gunmen firing rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.

"We can confirm there are no casualties at this time among embassy personnel," she said.

NATO also said none of its staff were wounded in the attack. It said the U.S.-led coalition was providing air support to Afghan security forces.

At least one rocket landed on a building housing privately owned Tolo TV and another near a minivan carrying school children. Associated Press reporters at the scene saw at least four wounded Afghans near Abdul Haq square.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said a number of suicide bombers were attacking Afghan and foreign soldiers at Abdul Haq square. He claimed in a text message sent to reporters that suicide bombers using assault rifles also were attacking the offices of the Afghan intelligence service.