Taliban attack presidential palace in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - The Associated Press

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers block a road near the entrance to The Presidential Palace in Kabul on June 25, 2013, follwing an attack by Taliban militants. Taliban militants targeted the presidential palace in Kabul, detonating two vehicles at an entrance to the complex just a week after insurgent leaders opened an office in Qatar for peace talks. AFP PHOTO/ SHAH Marai

The Taliban say they have hit one of the most secure areas of the Afghan capital with a suicide attack, as a series of explosion rocked the gate leading into the presidential palace.

Smoke rose from the eastern gate of the palace early Tuesday after more than a half dozen explosions and at least 45 minutes of on-and-off small arms fire.

The Taliban sent a quick text-message statement saying "we brought death to the enemy."

The palace is in a large fortified area of downtown Kabul that also includes the U.S. Embassy and the headquarters for the NATO-led coalition forces.

Reporters gathering for an event with President Hamid Karzai counted at least seven or eight explosions starting about 6:30 a.m.

Police had no immediate comment.