Afghan president escapes gun attack

Taliban militants opened fire at a ceremony marking the defeat of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, forcing dignitaries including Afghanistan’s president to take cover.

President Hamid Karzai, all Cabinet members and foreign diplomats were safe, said a defence ministry spokesman. Two lawmakers were reported wounded.

A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for attack, saying four militants with suicide vests and guns were deployed nearby.

Hundreds of people fled in chaos as shots rang out. It was unclear where the firing was coming from. A live TV broadcast of the event in Kabul was quickly cut.

Witnesses could also hear heavy weapon fire.

“President Hamid Karzai, with all the Cabinet members and foreign diplomats who were on the main stage, are safe. They have been evacuated from the area. It is not an exact report yet, and I’m not sure, but I heard two parliamentarians are wounded,” said Defence Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi.

Sirajudin, a police officer at the scene, said he saw two people firing AK-47 assault rifles from a house toward the area were Karzai and other dignitaries were sitting.

Gunfire erupted as the national anthem ended at ceremonies to mark the 16th anniversary of the mujahedin victory over the Soviet invasion, which ended in 1992.

TV footage showed a couple of dignitaries slump in their seats as the shooting began. They appeared to be lawmakers.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said four insurgents launched the attack against Karzai near the national stadium where the event was held.

Mujaheed said the insurgents were wearing suicide vests and carrying AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades to attack Karzai.

A US embassy official said US Ambassador William Wood escaped unharmed.