KABUL, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Several blasts and ensuing firing took place near the Afghan Presidential Palace in Kabul Tuesday morning, a source said as the Taliban insurgent group claimed the responsibility.
"The incident happened in Shashdarak area in the eastern edge of the presidential palace," the source told Xinhua anonymously.
There was no immediate report of casualties in the clash that happened at around 6:30 a.m. local time.
Heavy gunfight and clashes are going on at the moment, he said. Fire engines and ambulances arrived following the attack.
Grey smoke can be seen above the scene.
Local TV channels reported that more than 12 explosions hit the area, saying the attackers tried to assault the eastern gate of the palace. The natures of the most of the blasts were suicide bombing, it said.
The incident happened hours before a media event in the palace where Afghan President Hamid Karzai was expected to deliver a speech.
Government troops immediately cordoned off the area shortly after the blast.
The incident came as the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins is visiting Kabul. He came to Kabul for talks with the Afghan leaders over the pace talks with the Taliban.
Last week, Taliban opened their political office in Doha, Qatar, to kick off peace talks with the United States. They said they will continue their fight even as the meetings begin.
Political turmoil engulfed the country as the Afghan government called off negotiations with the United States on a security agreement and announced it will not take part in peace talks with the Taliban.
A planned meeting on Thursday between U.S. officials and Taliban representatives was also stalled due to tensions over the naming of the new Taliban office in Doha. The Afghan government had objected to the office being called the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" -- the name given to Afghanistan during the Taliban rule.
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