1st LD: 2nd explosion, gunfire rock Afghan capital

Casualties were feared as an explosion and ensuing gunfire shocked near airport in Afghan capital of Kabul on Friday night, the second attack this evening, sources and police said.

"A big explosion followed by rocket propelled grenade blasts and gun firing took place in Qasaba locality, an area in northern part of Kabul International Airport at around 10:00 p.m. local time,"witness Wasim Hakimi told Xinhua.

The nature of the attacked looked like Taliban's coordinated attack when several attackers storm a potential compound by suicide car bombing and guns, the witness added.

"The gunshots are still going on there," he said. The target of the attack remained unknown.

The incident is the third attack in the capital with 24 hours.

Earlier on Friday evening, 26 police students were killed while 27 others wounded after a suicide attack, for which the Taliban militant group claimed responsibility, targeted a police academy building in western Kabul while about 15 civilians were killed and over 240 others wounded when a massive truck bombing struck southeastern Kabul in the wee hours of the day. Endi