Gunfight continues after attackers storm Counterpart International's building in Kabul

Gunmen stormed Counterpart International's building in the Shahr-e-Naw area here on Wednesday, in an attack whose responsibility has been claimed by Taliban.

Heavy explosion and gunfire could be heard in the region in the morning, as gunfighting continues, according to TOLOnews.

Nusrat Rahimi, a spokesman for Ministry of Interior Affairs, highlighted that the police surrounded the area and rescued around 150 people of the organisation.

Even though casualties are feared, the authorities are yet to give an official figure. At least 15 wounded were rushed to the hospital, according to Wahid Mayar, the spokesman for Ministry of Public Health.

The police are still trying to clear the building, as per Rahimi. TOLOnews' reporter Anisa Shaheed stated that an explosive-laden vehicle was seized from the attackers by the police.

An unspecified number of gunmen stormed the US NGO's building on Wednesday morning. Ambulances, firefighters and military vehicles rushed near the attack scene immediately.

This comes almost 20 days after an attack on a government building that left scores dead in Kabul.

The US Ambassador to Afghanistan strongly condemned the Taliban attack, which comes at a time when there are rising calls for peace in the country.

"Strongly condemn Taliban attack against US NGO in Kabul today. The targeted organization helps local communities, trains journalists and supports the Afghan people. For this, it is the target of senseless violence. Thanks to Afghan Security Forces for rapid response," he tweeted.

The UN mission in Afghanistan also denounced the attack on the international organisation, adding that the assault deliberately targets civilians.