Taliban claim Kabul shootout

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 KABUL: The Taliban claimed responsibility Wednesday for a fatal attack in central Kabul, saying it was the "first step" in a campaign of violence aimed at disrupting an upcoming presidential election run-off. At least three UN staff members were among the dead following the attack on a guesthouse in a busy shopping and hotel district of central Kabul, a UN official said earlier. "We claim responsibility," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed told media by phone."This is the first step, as we have warned that we will disrupt the second round of the elections," he said, referring to the November 7 run-off of the presidential election.Speaking from an undisclosed location, he said three militants wearing explosives-packed suicide vests and armed with automatic weapons were involved in the raid. The attack began at around 5:30 am (0100 GMT). Police said at least one of the attackers had been killed, and several police officers were among the wounded. The Taliban have called for a boycott of the run-off, threatening violent consequences for anyone who votes. Almost 200 violent incidents around the first vote were attributed to the Taliban, including amputations of fingers marked with purple ink as proof of voting, and rocket and grenade attacks on polling stations.