Afghanistan: 10 dead in British-compound attack

The death toll from twin suicide attacks on a British compound in Kabul and an ensuing gunbattle has climbed to at least 10, Afghan police and eyewitnesses said today.

Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said at least two policemen were also injured in the attack, which came as Afghans mark Independence Day from Britain in 1919.

Mr Sediqqi said one suicide bomber first detonated a car laden with explosives outside the British Council in the western part of Kabul this morning.

A second bomber penetrated inside the complex and set off an explosives vest.

The blasts sparked a five-hour gunbattle between Afghan security forces and an unknown number of insurgents inside the compound.