Taliban militants strike central Kabul

Taliban militants struck in the centre of Kabul on Monday, with suicide bombers blowing themselves up at several locations and gunmen engaging in firefights outside government ministries and inside a shopping mall.

Officials said at least 12 people were killed and 30 wounded during the attacks, which began at about 10 a.m. local time with an explosion near Afghanistan's central bank. The dead included seven attackers involved in the five-hour assault.

After the gunbattles subsided, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the situation was under control and order had been restored.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said 20 armed militants, including some with suicide vests, had entered Kabul to target the presidential palace and other government buildings in the centre of the capital.

Defence Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said a child and a policeman were among the dead. Afghan forces were searching the city for more attackers, Azimi said.

No reported Canadian casualties

Many central government buildings are located in the area attacked, including the presidential palace, the central bank and the luxury Serana Hotel, which is frequented by westerners.

Canadian diplomatic staff retreated to a secure part of the embassy compound, said Ambassador William Crosbie. Crosbie said no Canadians were known to have been hurt in the attack, although it was not possible to be completely sure.

"I was particularly concerned about those Canadian advisers who were helping Afghan government ministries," Crosbie said. "So far, from what we know, all the Canadians are safe."

The attacks at the heart of the heavily secured city, coming on the same day Karzai swore in new members of his cabinet, were another blow to public confidence in the Afghan government.

Shopping mall in flames 

Among the areas attacked was a shopping mall that caters mostly to poor Afghans, which caught fire during the attack.

"We are so concerned, so disappointed about the security in the capital," said Mohammad Hussain, a 25-year-old shopkeeper who witnessed the fighting. "Tens of thousands of U.S. and NATO troops are being sent to Afghanistan, yet security in the capital is deteriorating."

"Today it looks like a coup," said another shopkeeper, Abdul Rahman Hamedi, 38, who ran with his son from his store. "Everybody said 'The city is full of suicide bombers.'"

The assault was the worst since suicide attackers stormed a guest house used by UN staff in an attack that left 11 people dead.

Monday's attack comes as the United States plans to send 30,000 additional troops to aid in fighting the mounting Taliban-led insurgency.

United Nations Special Representative Kai Eide said the assault showed a "staggering disregard for civilian lives."

Canada's foreign minister, Lawrence Cannon, also condemned the attack and extended condolences over those who lost their lives.