Gunfight Shatters Calm Spell in Kabul

[bemildred]

Source: NYT

KABUL, Afghanistan — Three insurgents wearing military uniforms and vests filled with explosives attacked a police station in a busy downtown market on Saturday, killing nine people in a gun battle that lasted more than an hour, the authorities said.

The victims were three police officers, an Afghan intelligence agent and five civilians. The three attackers were also killed, officials said. Twelve people were wounded, 10 of them civilians.

Automatic gunfire echoed through downtown as hundreds of police officers and soldiers cordoned off the area and tried to close in on the gunmen. The attack shattered what had been a peaceful month in the capital. In a few weeks, NATO forces are scheduled to hand over the city to Afghan forces, a largely symbolic move since the Afghans have been mostly responsible for the security here for more than a year.

The Interior Ministry said that the attackers arrived at the Mandavi market at 1:30 p.m. and approached a small police station amid the bustling shops. One bomber blew himself up in front of the station, paving the way for the other two to run inside, a ministry spokesman said.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/world/asia/19kabul.html

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Edit: you have to wonder what a "violent spell" would be.

[daleo]

1. Just another day in paradise. n/t

[Zephie]

2. I thought this headlne said "Gunfight shatters clam shell in Kabul"....

I think I need glasses.

[julian09]

3. Hope they run out of these bombers soon

:hide: