British Council offices in Kabul hit by suicide bombers

Kabul - At least 12 people have been killed after several explosions at the British Council offices in Kabul hit in the early morning hours. Gunfire was heard from the area.

In total five blasts rocked the Kabul offices of the British Council, the latest explosion happening at 10:00 a.m. local time. The Taliban is claiming responsibility for the blasts. A spokesperson for the British Embassy said that the attack was still ongoing reports the New York Times. “The British Embassy is coordinating with Afghan authorities who are dealing with the ongoing incident,” the spokesman said. The offices deal with cultural relations around the world and are funded in part by London. The first two of the five blasts are reported to be from suicide bombers. The first was a car explosion that struck the entrance gate accounting to PressTV.com. The second attack was from a gunman who gained entrance to the center. One of the buildings attacked houses foreign diplomats staying in Kabul. Nearby schools and businesses were damaged in the attacks. The Herald Sun reports, "Eight people, mostly police, are killed and 10 others injured," said interior ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqui. "There's one person, one of the attackers who is still alive and resisting. The area has not yet been cleared." President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack, the L.A. Times writes, and he said such assaults "show [the militants'] weakness when facing Afghan security forces." Today is the 92nd anniversary of Afghan independence from Great Britain.