Spanish embassy was not targeted in Kabul attack: PM

On Tuesday, at least 50 people were killed in a Taliban attack on Kandahar airport.

In addition, two attackers were killed and one was injured during the clearing operation, Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Ayub Salangi tweeted later Friday.

The Taliban said its fighters had detonated a vehicle bomb in the Sherpur district before entering the area.

“The Taliban said it was an attack against what they called “invader” guest houses that were very close to the embassy”, said Mariano Rajoy.

Insurgents launched a gun and suicide bomb attack on a Spanish embassy compound in Kabul yesterday, Afghan officials said.

As the country grappled with the aftermath of the attack, its spy chief quit his post on Thursday, laying bare disagreements with Mr Ghani over his diplomatic outreach to Pakistan, long blamed for nurturing the Taliban.

“The only information we can confirm is that there has been an explosion in the embassy”, a spokesman at the Spanish Foreign Ministry in Madrid said.

“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under global law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard”, said the statement.

Security forces have suggested around seven Taliban are involved in the attacks, though casualty figures are still unclear.

Almost six hours after the brazen raid began, a series of fresh blasts and a volley of gunshots ripped through the area as security forces battled with the insurgents.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed claimed responsibility in an e-mailed statement.

A host of high-profile politicians including Afghan Vice-President Abdul Rashid Dostum and senior government officials live in the area.

The meeting was aimed at reviving stalled peace talks between the Afghani government and Taliban militants. The militant organization seized control of Kunduz in September and has been able to mount well-planned and coordinated attacks on targets across the country in recent months.