Bombings hit UK center in Afghanistan

Fri Aug 19, 2011 4:18AM GMT

UPDATE 1

Afghan security personnel gather at the site of a suicide attack and a clash at The British Council in Kabul on August 19, 2011.

Huge blasts targeting British Council cultural center and a UN guest house in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul kill at least three people.

Two heavy blasts took place at 5:45 local time Friday morning, followed by two other explosions about two hours later, as bombers detonated their explosives, a Press TV correspondent reported.

The International Security Assistance Forces operating in Afghanistan has confirmed the assaults targeted the British cultural center.

Two of the explosions targeted the British offices while the third hit a guesthouse used by foreign diplomats.

A spokesman for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Dan McNorton, denied earlier reports that said a UN facility had also been attacked in the incident.

Kabul police said the casualties may rise, without confirming whether any of the dead were foreigners.

The Taliban have reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that they intended to target British interests in Afghanistan on a day that marks the independence anniversary of the Asian country from Britain.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attacks were aimed at reminding Britain, which has “invaded” Afghanistan again, of the day the Asian country gained its independence.

Afghanistan gained independence from Britain on August 19, 1919.

MA/MB