At least three United Nations employees have been killed and some injured in an attack in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul, the UN says.
Heavy gunfire and an explosion were heard at a guesthouse used by the UN, after militants entered the building just before 7am local time on Wednesday, the BBC reports.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack on the private guesthouse, used by the UN and other international organisations.
There are also reports of rockets being fired at the Serena Hotel in the city, which is used by diplomats and other international workers.
There is no information yet on whether anyone has been injured or killed at the hotel, but about 100 people inside at the time were taken to secure rooms.
The militants said the attack was the "first step" in a campaign to disrupt the second round of presidential elections in 10 days' time.
UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building, as UN employees tried to flee.
Mr Siddique confirmed that three UN staff had been killed and an unknown number injured in the attack.
Kabul has been attacked regularly in recent months, with Taliban fighters targeting foreign troops or government offices.
The latest incident comes amid heightened tension in the country over a presidential election marred by widespread fraud in favour of incumbent President Hamid Karzai.
