Serial blasts kill 17, injure 30 in central Kabul

A series of explosions and gun battles have killed at least 17 people and wounded thirty others, including foreigners, in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

According to Afghan officials, the Friday morning attacks took place near a hotel and guest houses that are generally used by foreign nationals.

The casualties reportedly include several foreigners. Security force members guarding the area are also among the dead.

A gunfight is reportedly ongoing between police and militants holed up in the area. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attacks, which sent shock waves throughout the city center and its surroundings.
The death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

Meanwhile, police shot and killed two people suspected of trying to detonate another bomb in the area.

Eyewitnesses have also reported at least two smaller explosions in another part of Kabul.

The Afghan capital has been hit numerous times in recent months by bombers and booby traps.

Thousands of Afghan civilians have been killed since the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, which was launched to allegedly destroy militancy in the country.