Mystery rockets hit Kabul

Jun 19 00:18 UTC 2002

Several rockets have been fired at the Afghan capital, Kabul, where the
meeting of the country's traditional grand assembly, or loya jirga, is winding
up its proceedings. 
One of the rockets hit a residential block, causing some damage but no
casualties. 

All three rockets landed near the American embassy and the headquarters of
the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), but a spokesperson for
the force said it was unclear what the target had been. 

French troops have been sent to the presumed launch site north-east of the
capital's airport, where Afghan sources reported finding two unfired rockets
after the attack. 

International patrols 

Isaf spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Helen Wildman said that an observation
point at the airport reported seeing two rockets being launched at 2135 (1705
GMT). 

German soldiers said the rockets were fired from the Qalai Zaman Khan district
in the northern hills. 

The rockets exploded within a kilometre of Isaf's headquarters, in the former
Soviet compound off the central Jalalabad Road. 

Lieutenant Colonel Wildman added that similar attacks on post-Taleban Kabul
had happened before. 

About 5,000 Isaf members have been patrolling Kabul since December and have
stepped up security during the loya jirga. 

Tuesday's blasts are the first such incident since the loya jirga opened on
11 June.