Taliban launch new offensive in the Stans

Nearly 400 escape in northwest Pakistan jailbreak
More than 150 heavily-armed Islamist militants stormed the central prison outside the restive northwestern town of Bannu bordering the lawless tribal regions where Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants are known to operate.

"Some 384 prisoners, including some hardcore militants, have escaped during the attack," one security official said, asking not to be named.

Coordinated suicide attacks rock Afghanistan capital
Suicide bombers struck across Afghanistan in coordinated attacks on Sunday, with explosions and gunfire rocking the diplomatic enclave in the capital as militants took over buildings and tried to enter parliament.

Outside the capital, attackers also targeted government buildings in Logar province, the airport in Jalalabad, and a police facility in the town of Gardez in Paktya province.

Taleban insurgents claimed the attacks with a spokesman saying they marked the start of their annual spring offensive which heralds the fighting season.

Gunfire, explosions, rock Afghan capital
Witnesses said suicide bombers had taken over the newly-built Kabul Star hotel, which was reportedly on fire in an area which includes a major US military base, the United Nations office and the presidential palace.

The area was sealed off by security forces.

Several other attackers tried to enter the Afghan parliament but were engaged by security forces and driven back, an official said.

Rocket fired at British embassy residence in Kabul
Gunmen launched multiple attacks in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday, assaulting Western embassies in the heavily guarded, central diplomatic area and at the parliament in the west, witnesses and officials said.

Two rockets hit a British Embassy guard tower near the Reuters office in the city.

Three others hit a supermarket near the German Embassy popular with foreigners, Reuters witnesses said. Women scurried for cover as crackling gunfire was heard above.

As the gunfire continued, US army convoys could be seen coming to the area accompanied by Afghan police in flak jackets.

There was no word on any casualties.

Explosions, gunfire shake Afghan capital
Militants launched a series of coordinated attacks in the Afghan capital today, with blasts and gunfire rocking three neighbourhoods that are home to Afghan government buildings, Western embassies and NATO bases.

More than 10 explosions in all rocked the capital today, and heavy gunfire shook the city for more than an hour after the initial blast. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

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