At least 6 killed in Kabul blasts in reaction to Obama visit

At least six people were killed in an early morning suicide attack Wednesday in the Afghan capital, hours after a surprise visit to Afghanistan by President Barack Obama, government officials said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was a response to Obama's visit.          

A series of explosions and gunfire rang out in eastern Kabul at around 6 a.m. near a private armed compound that houses hundreds of international workers. Shooting continued for hours and it was not clear later whether the attack was finished, as another large explosion sounded around 8 a.m. from inside the complex, known as Green Village.          

An Afghan police official said two suicide attackers were still inside Green Village and were "resisting." The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.          

One of the first blasts was a suicide car bomb that exploded near Jalalabad road, one of the main thoroughfares out of the city, said Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi. A station wagon that was driving past was caught up in the explosion and four people inside were killed, Sediqi said. A passer-by and a security guard for a nearby building also were killed.         

 The explosions happened hours after Obama left Afghanistan after a quick visit to mark the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death. He spoke to troops and signed a pact with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to govern the U.S. presence in Afghanistan through 2024.           

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was planned Tuesday night as a response to Obama's trip.          

"This is a reaction to Obama's visit to Afghanistan," Mujahid said, without elaborating. He said the target was a "foreign military base."

AP