Russian embassy escaped Taliban attack in Afghanistan

Moscow, April 16 (IANS) As Taliban launched a coordinated wave of assaults Sunday in Afghanistan by targetting embassies of the US and Germany, Russia clarified that its embassy had not been attacked.

The NATO headquarters and an airbase used by the American troops were also targetted in the attack.

A spokesman for Russian embassy in Afghanistan dismissed media reports claiming that its high-profile compound in Kabul had been attacked, RIA Novosti reported.

"The embassy has not been attacked, security has been beefed up," the spokesman said.

India also said its citizens living in that country were safe and it was in constant touch with its embassy in Kabul.

Kabul and several Afghanistan cities were rocked by gunfire and explosions Sunday as the Taliban-led insurgency launched its largest attack in its 11-year struggle, local media said.

The heavily guarded area of Kabul where the attacks took place is frequented by foreigners and is rarely the scene of violence. The fighting was on till late Sunday evening.

Afghan government facilities were also targetted, the NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying its suicide bombers were carrying them out in Kabul and and three provinces around the country, CNN reported.