| 2013 Afghan presidential palace attack | |
|---|---|
| Part ofWar in Afghanistan | |
.jpg) Presidential Palace inAfghanistan | |
 Interactive map of 2013 Afghan presidential palace attack | |
| Location | Kabul,Afghanistan |
| Date | 25 June 2013 |
Attack type | Mass shooting |
| Deaths | 11
|
| Perpetrator | Taliban |
The2013 Afghan presidential palace attack occurred on 25 June 2013, in a highly secure zone ofKabul, the capital city ofAfghanistan.[1][2][3]
The attack, claimed to be carried out by theTaliban, occurred at the eastern gate of the presidential palace around 04:30 - 06:30 a.m.AFT, where a group of reporters were gathering for security checks ahead of a presidential news conference.[4][5][6] Between seven and eight explosions, alleged to be Taliban suicide bombers, occurred outside the palace.[citation needed] The explosions were later followed by an intense exchange of gunfire between three or four Taliban fighters, and Afghan security officials, which lasted 90 minutes.[7][8] Obtaining fake identification, badges and vehicle passes, five of the eight Taliban members were able to clear high-level security clearances, driving twoLand Cruisers similar to those used by international soldiers to penetrate the heavily fortified security zone inKabul. All insurgents were killed in the ensuing battle with security forces.[9]
TheUnited StatesCentral Intelligence Agency's Afghanistan station located nearby the presidential palace was also struck by tworocket-propelled grenades during the attack.[10] Targeting the CIA's office in the Ariana Hotel, the Taliban attacked inside one of the most heavily restricted areas of Afghanistan, in downtown Kabul where theU.S. Embassy and the headquarters of theNATO-ledInternational Security Assistance Force are located.[11] The headquarters of theAfghan Ministry of Defense was also targeted in the Taliban attack.[12]
With no immediate reports of civilian casualties, it remains unclear whether several Afghan schoolchildren who were caught in the crossfire between the Taliban and security forces were harmed.[10][13] Afghan PresidentHamid Karzai, who was inside the palace at the time, was not injured.[14] The attack resulted in the deaths of three palace security guards, and all eight of the Taliban fighters.[15]
34°32′00″N69°10′00″E / 34.5333°N 69.1667°E /34.5333; 69.1667
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