Photo Gallery Assault on Kabul
An Afghan policeman stands in front of a shopping mall, where Taliban gunmen battled government security forces for hours. Taliban gunmen launched a brazen assault on targets throughout the center of Kabul on Monday.
The clashes produced clouds of smoke over Kabul. With the US increasing troop numbers in Afghanistan by 30,000 this year, the Taliban seemed intent on sending a message that it is capable of striking anywhere at any time.
The luxury hotel Serena was also targeted by the insurgents. The hotel is frequented by foreign diplomats and politicians.
Smoke billows from a building where clashes between insurgents and security forces occured. Gunfights continued throughout the day in Kabul, though the ultimate death toll was relatively low.
The attacks occured shortly before Afghan President Hamid Karzai was scheduled to swear in a number of ministers into his new cabinet. The insurgents targeted the presidential palace as well as the Finance and Justice Ministries.
An Afghan Army soldier takes up a position near the scene of a gunbattle between insurgents and goverment forces in Kabul.
The insurgents entered the city using stolen ambulances and government vehicles. Afghan forces allegedly let them pass through security checkpoints just prior to the attacks.
