Explosion, Death in Kabul, Afghanistan
SESAY: We're going to bring you that Freedom Project story in a moment. Let's get you the breaking news we have out of Afghanistan. There's been word of a loud exPLOsion near the U.S. embassy in Kabul about a kilometer away from the embassy. The Afghan prime minister says a number of people have been killed and injured.</s>VAUSE: An embassy spokesman says the exPLOsion was not far from the compound. There's no claim of responsibility as of yet. Journalist Sune Engall Rasmussen joins us now from Kabul with more on this. So, Sune, we're hearing from the president saying a number of people are being killed. He's calling it a terrorist attack. What more can you tell us?</s>SUNE ENGALL RASMUSSEN, JOURNALIST: Well, we know the attack happened in a crowded area of central Kabul that's home to several government offices and ministries. Also, the entrance of the presidential palace. There's reports of gunfire in the area. But the national security forces have cordoned off the area. And it's difficult for anyone to get close. We also don't have any clear numbers on casualties. We know that emergency, which is -- they have told Reuters they received 15 wounded. That will be in addition to in town. We don't have clear numbers on injured or killed yet.</s>SESAY: What's you're sense of the situation at the scene? Is it under control right now? What are you hearing?</s>RASMUSSEN: Well, like I said, it's difficult to hear anything, to get anything from sources close by because normally, the security forces are very fast in Kabul at securing the area. And to avoid a second blast, for example, in Iraq. It is difficult for journalists to get close. We have heard reports about gun battles. But the situation is more or less under control. And now, they're trying to get a clearer image of what actually happened. But the ministry of interior, which is normally the main source, is not giving out details yet, as is also the case with the presidential palace.</s>VAUSE: This comes from last week. The Taliban announce they would begin near the spring offensive when they go on the attack around the country. There's a concern about the resurge of the Taliban. Is there any indication to you just moving around of increased security there by the Afghan national forces?</s>RASMUSSEN: Well, this announcement of this spring offensive comes every year. But this comes after a winter that's more violent. Secure has been high in Kabul for a while. This is far from the first time that the Taliban, if this is the Taliban, targeting -- or managed to target government offices in central Kabul. This happens on a fairly regular basis. The scale of these attacks seems to be bigger than normal, these casualties, and getting a sense of now. But, yes, the Taliban are able to conduct attacks in the heart of Kabul. They are not able to sustain constant offensive on Kabul. But these pinpoint attacks that they are able to carry out.</s>VAUSE: Very quickly, Sune, do you know if there was one exPLOsion, two or three blasts? Can you clarify that at this point?</s>RASMUSSEN: I only heard one blast. I live a couple of kilometers away from the site. I only heard one blast around 9:00 local time.</s>VAUSE: Great. Sune, thank you very much. Sune Engall Rasmussen, joining us via Skype from Kabul. Giving you some information that is happening in a crowded area, around part of the capitol, where there are government buildings, has been reports of the sound of gunfire. But there's no clear indication of the number of people being killed or hurt. He said at least 15 people have been admitted into a private hospital. But of course, there are concerns there were many killed or wounded, as the result of exPLOsion or maybe more.</s>SESAY: Maybe more. No claim of responsibility at this point in time. All eyes on the Taliban who, as you made the point a couple of days ago last week, made the announcement that the spring offensive would begin. Many looking at the Taliban to see whether they will step up and claim responsibility for this. Of course, we know the president has been trying to resurrect peace talks with the Taliban. It will be interesting to see what a large-scale attack, what impact.</s>VAUSE: If it was the Taliban.</s>VAUSE: John Kerry was just in town talking about security. A lot more on this story when we get it. In the meantime, a short break. Back in a moment.</s>SESAY: Stay with us.