Suicide Bombers Kill 17 in Downtown Kabul

At least 17 people were killed when gunmen and five suicide bombers struck in the heart of Kabul today. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attacks, which targeted a major shopping center and two guesthouses used mainly by Indian embassy employees and other foreigners working in the Afghan capital. At least four Indian citizens are among the dead, Reuters reports.

Gun battles between militants and police continued for hours after the initial explosions. "I saw foreigners crying and shouting," one hotel worker told AP. "It was a very bad situation inside. God helped me, otherwise I would be dead. I saw one suicide bomber blowing himself up." The attack came as the NATO offensive against the Taliban's Marjah stronghold ended its second week. (More suicide bomber stories.)