Karzai escapes assassination bid

Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped unhurt today after an assassination attempt by Taliban fighters who fired guns and rockets…

Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped unhurt today after an assassination attempt by Taliban fighters who fired guns and rockets at an official celebration in the capital, Kabul.

Mr Karzai, government ministers, former warlords, diplomats and the military top brass ducked for cover after gunfire sounded at the celebration to mark the 16th anniversary of the fall of the Afghan communist government to the mujahideen.

Mr Karzai later appeared on state television to reassure citizens that he was safe.

"Today, the enemies of Afghanistan, the enemies of Afghanistan's security and progress tried to disrupt the ceremony and cause disorder and terror," Mr Karzai said.

"Fortunately, Afghanistan's military forces surrounded them quickly and arrested some of the suspects," he said.
The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack, said three of its fighters were killed.

British ambassador Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles and US Ambassador William Wood escaped unharmed.

All cabinet members and foreign diplomats at the parade along with General Dan McNeill, US commander of international forces in Afghanistan, were safe and well, the Defence Ministry said.

But one person was killed and 11 wounded, including a member of parliament, a spokesman said. 

The Taliban fire appeared to come from a building a few hundred metres from the site, a road which is blocked off for official parades, close to the presidential palace.

"Three of our attackers have been killed and three managed to escape. Small arms and rocket-propelled grenades were used in the attack," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. The attack disproved Afghan government and Nato assertions that the Taliban insurgency has been weakened, he said.

"Afghan and Nato authorities this year repeatedly said the Taliban are on the verge of annihilation ... Now it is has been proved to them the Taliban not only have the ability to operate in the provinces, but even in Kabul," said Mujahid.  "Karzai and his cabinet can't be safe from Taliban attacks."