Afghanistan’s Kabul airport under attack
“Rapid response force sent to the area amid reports of gunfire and explosions at capital’s international airport.”
An explosion followed by bursts of gunfire have been heard near Kabul International Airport in the Afghan capital.
Smoke was seen rising above the facility, which is used by civilians and the military. A car had also been set on fire not far from the scene.
A police source said a number of fighters had burst into a building just north of the airport and opened fire.
“Afghan security forces are dealing with it. More information will be released as soon as we get it,” said the
source, who asked not to be identified.
NATO forces said they were aware of reports of an attack on the airport but could not give more details.
Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the interior ministry, said a rapid response force had been sent to the area.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
A Kabul airport official told the Reuters news agency all flights had been diverted to other cities.
In such circumstances, passenger planes are immediately diverted to other Afghan cities such as Mazar-i-Sharif in the north or Herat in the west.
The attack on the airport comes at a time of great uncertainty for Afghanistan as votes from the second round of a disputed presidential election are to be recounted.
The poll is meant to mark Afghanistan’s first democratic transfer of power. (ALJAZEERA)
