A group of Taliban insurgents staged a bomb-and-gun attack in the Afghan capital Kabul Tuesday morning, causing many casualties.
The assault targeted a building, which officials say, houses a special unit of the Afghan security force responsible for protecting government officials. It began at around 9 a.m local time with a suicide bomber detonating his explosives-laden vehicle.
An intense gunfight between the assailants and Afghan security forces is currently underway, say officials and residents.
A health ministry spokesman in Kabul told VOA that rescue workers have so far brought 198 wounded people to hospitals in the capital city.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms" and says many people have been killed and wounded.
He said the attack "clearly shows the enemy's defeat in the face-to-face battle" with Afghan security forces.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, in a statement sent to reporters, claimed responsibility for the attack.