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1st LD: Gunmen attack Indian Consulate in Afghanistan

Xinhua, January 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Heavy clashes were going on in northern Afghan town of Mazar-i-Sharif on Sunday night after gunmen seized a building and attacked the nearby Indian Consulate office, sources said.

"Two bombers detonated suicide bombs at a hotel entrance at around 08:30 p.m. (local time). The second squad of attackers succeeded in entering the building and fired on consulate office. They also exchanged fire with security forces with heavy weapons and grenades," a security source told Xinhua anonymously.

"We still cannot provide details on causalities. There is fear of possible causalities," the source added.

Government special operation forces arrived at the scene shortly after the blasts.

Security forces have cordoned off all the roads leading to the site for precautionary measures.

Several buildings and vehicles at the site were damaged by the blasts.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.

The attack came 10 days after a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country. Enditem