Suicide bombs kill 16 in Kabul

Suicide bombers have attacked the heart of Kabul, triggering a series of explosions and gun battles in an area of residential hotels rented by Indian embassy workers and other foreigners. The Afghan Interior Ministry says at least 16 people have been killed.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the blasts. Interior Ministry spokesman Zemari Bashari says three of the dead were police officers and most of the civilians killed were Indians. Bashari and the Italian Foreign Ministry also confirmed the death of one Italian citizen, a diplomat. Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attacks saying the strikes won't hurt Afghan-Indian relations. Karzai also expressed his sadness to the people and government of India. The attacks come as thousands of US, Afghan and NATO soldiers are in their second week of a major offensive against a Taliban stronghold in the town of Marjah in southern Afghanistan.