A series of explosions and gunfire have hit the Afghan parliament in Kabul, with reports of gunmen attacking the building.
One explosion was confirmed inside the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of parliament, forcing politicians to evacuate. A journalist from the local TOLO News said he heard three other blasts outside parliament and gunfire from inside the building.
Afghan parliament TV showed the house hall filled with dust. There was no immediate report of casualties.
Al Jazeera reported that the parliamentary speaker was at the podium to introduce the new defence minister Massoom Stanekzai to MPs when the camera's started to shake. A video from Afghan TV showed the moment the explosion rocked the house of parliament:
Ministry of Interior spokesman Sediq Sediqqi confirmed the explosions and said security forces have been deployed.
According to reports, the insurgents were positioned in a building outside the parliament compound firing RPGs.
UPDATE: A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has claimed responsibility for the attack according to the local Ariana news.
Police confirmed to AP that Taliban were responsible for the attack, setting off four large bombs as lawmakers were meeting inside.
Prominent female MP Shukria Barekzai said: "It was a huge blast that shook the building and shattered windows. We are right now in a safe place".
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