Rocket attack in Kabul wounds at least 10, triggers embassy lockdowns

A wounded Afghan man walks after he received treatment at an Italian aid organisation hospital, following a dozen rockets that struck in Kabul (WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP)

More than a dozen rockets struck Kabul on Tuesday, wounding at least 10 people and prompting some foreign embassies to order a lockdown.

The identity of the attackers was unknown, though an interior ministry spokesman said two suspects had been arrested.

The attack comes at a time when the US is encouraging peace talks between the government and the Taliban, while preparing to withdraw the last US troops to end almost 19 years of war.

"Several rockets were fired from two vehicles," said Tariq Arian, an interior ministry spokesman.

He later added that fourteen rockets landed in different parts of the city, some landing near the Green Zone area, home to many foreign embassies and NATO headquarters.

A senior Western security official told Reuters the diplomatic area was quickly placed under lockdown after the blasts, as workers in embassies took cover in safe rooms.

"All diplomatic officials in embassies in the Green Zone have been moved to safe rooms in the diplomatic district until clearance orders," a senior Western security official added.

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