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Afghan President escapes assassination bid

27 Apr 2008 - 01:30 CDT

Afghan President escapes assassination bid

AFGHANISTAN: President Hamid Karzai was hussled away but escaped unhurt after an assassination attempt during an official celebration in the capital of Kabul.

A Presidential Palace source said Mr Karzai was safe, but the Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack, said three of its fighters were killed. "Yes, he is safe and fine," a palace source said, declining to be named.

Government ministers were also seen leaving the celebration near the presidential palace and state television cut off live transmission of the celebration, which marked the 16th anniversary of fall of Kabul to the Mujahideen. Sounds of gunfire could be still heard after television stopped coverage of the event.

Taliban insurgents are behind the firing at President Karzai a Taliban spokesman said. "We had our people there who fired at Karzai," Zabihullah Mujahid told a Reuters from an undisclosed location. "We had place six personnel in the area. Three of our men have been killed."

He did not immediately say how they were killed but an AFP reporter at the scene said there was an exchange of gunfire, apparently between the attackers and troops. A security official at the scene said one suspected attacker was arrested....

-- Source/continues: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/27/2228416.htm