Gunbattle Inside Kabul Building Follows Large Blast

Children flee as security forces respond after several large explosions hit a busy downtown area of Kabul on May 24.

KABUL -- Reports say gunmen have taken positions inside a building in the Afghan capital after an attack that apparently began with at least two large blasts.

Eyewitnesses on May 24 said that they heard heavy shooting after the explosions, which reportedly targeted a security building.

The afternoon attack happened in an area where some security buildings and offices of international organizations are located.

There was no immediate word on casualties.

In phone calls to media organizations, a purported Taliban spokesman has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it started with a suicide car bomb attack.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP