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SEEKING COVER: Afghan soldiers scatter as gunfire and rockets were unleashed near the presidential palace in Kabul. While the attempt on the President's life failed, one person was killed and nine were hurt. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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KABUL - AFGHAN military personnel in ceremonial uniforms were sent scurrying for cover yesterday as suspected Taleban militants unleashed rockets and gunfire in an assassination bid on President Hamid Karzai.
The Afghan leader, Cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries escaped unharmed in the attack at a ceremony to mark the 16th anniversary of the end of Soviet-backed rule.
A local Muslim leader was killed and two lawmakers were among nine people hurt.
Mr Karzai had just completed a drive-past in a Humvee jeep supplied by the United States when shots rang out, coming apparently from ruined houses near where the VIPs were seated.
An Afghan lawmaker was quoted as saying that two rocket-propelled grenades landed near the dignitaries, and that there was continuous AK-47 fire.
Mr Karzai was escorted away from the scene, surrounded by bodyguards.
He appeared later on national television saying that several suspects had been arrested. He blamed the attack on the 'enemy of Afghanistan' and appealed for calm.
About 100 people were rounded up for questioning, an intelligence official said.
A Taleban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had deployed four militants with suicide vests and guns to target the President. There was no report of a suicide attack.
Mr Karzai, who has led Afghanistan since soon after a US-led invasion ousted the Taleban regime in 2001, has escaped several assassination attempts.
His narrowest escape was in September 2002, when a gunman opened fire in southern Kandahar.
Three people, including the gunman, died in that attack.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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