Kabul under siege as Taliban blitz rips through diplomatic zone – ToI – 16.4.12

Spring Offensive Targets Karzai, Parliament

Alissa J Rubin, Graham Bowley & Sangar Rahimi TNN 

Kabul: In a wave of attacks that rolled through the diplomatic and government centers in the Afghan capital and struck at least three eastern provinces as well, the Taliban on Sunday launched a complex assault using teams of suicide bombers and gunmen who held buildings for hours after the first explosions. 
    A statement by the Taliban called the attacks the start of their spring offensive, adding: “It is also a message to those foreign commanders who claim that the Taliban have lost their momentum. We 
have just showed that we are here and we can stage an attack whenever we want.” 
    A Nato spokesman confirmed that multiple attacks had occurred across Kabul, potentially in as many as seven locations. 
    The attacks in the city began at about 1.35pm and were still under way hours later. The Kabul police said the attacks were focused on two areas — one near the Zanbak Square entry to the presidential palace and one near Parliament. 
    Gunfire and several explosions were reported in the area near the German and British embassies and a major Nato military camp, usually a heavily guarded area of the city. Hours later, sustainedsmall-arms fire erupted there again, suggesting that the attackers were still holding ground. Rockets also landed near the British and Canadian embassies and World Bank office. 
    Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, in a text message to reporters, claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying, “We sent suicide bombers to Kabul and they are now taking over Parliament, US embassy and all diplomatic buildings.” NYT NEWS SERVICE 
Taliban storm Pak prison, free 400 
    Scores of Taliban insurgents, armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, stormed a prison in Pakistan’s northwestern town of Bannu and freed around 400 prisoners, including dozens of terrorists, on Sunday. Official sources described at least 23 of the escapees as “very dangerous militants” and identified one of them as Adnan Rashid, who had been sentenced to death for an attack on former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf. P13 
Indians in Kabul safe 
    The Indian embassy is under no threat and all Indians in Kabul are safe, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. India’s ambassador to Afghanistan Gautam Mukhopadhyay briefed foreign minister S M Krishna conveying that all Indians are safe, said a senior official. The ministry said it was in constant touch with the embassy as fighting was on. P13 NIGHTMARE AT NOON 
What, Who | Coordinated attacks in 7 sites across Kabul, near-simultaneous attacks in three provinces. Installations of US, UK, Germany, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Canada targeted, besides World Bank, Afghan parliament and presidential palace When | Attacks begin around 1.30pm local time, fighting still on How | Taliban fighters armed with rocket propelled grenades, suicide vests and heavy machine guns take position on highrises and fire at targets nearby Why | Taliban spokesman says attacks in retaliation to Quran burning by Nato soldiers 
What this means | Kabul says Haqqani network involved. This could strain US-Pak ties further. Question mark on Afghan security ahead of US troop exit in 2014.