Gunmen attack Afghan intelligence training centre

Kabul, Dec 18 (IANS) Armed insurgents attacked an intelligence training facility in the Afghan capital on Monday, sparking a shootout with security forces, officials said.

The attackers occupied an under construction building behind the training centre of the National Directorate of Security and exchanged fire with the security forces, said Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi.

According to media reports, at least five explosions were heard.

"The initial information found that at least four attackers are involved in the incident. The Crisis Response Unit (CRU) special operation forces responded to the attack," a police official told Xinhua news agency.

The assailants had AK-47 assault rifles, machine guns and rocket propelled grenades, a witness said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.