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KABUL: A group of gunmen stormed a private TV station in a commando-style assault in the Afghan capital on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of several people, in the latest spell of escalation of attacks in the country.
The Taliban militants distanced themselves from the attack on Shamshad TV station which lies in a crowded part of downtown Kabul and is only two miles away from the presidential palace.
Sounds of a number of blasts and exchange of gunfire were heard from the area.
Initially, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the entrance of the TV, paving the ground for entry of a number of attackers inside, witnesses said.
At least two guards of the station lost their lives in the blast and one its female staff was shot dead while trying to flee, local media said.
The attackers carried hand grenades and bombs, witnesses said.
The interior ministry said police and reinforcements were deployed and were trying to deal with the incident in the city where a series of attacks last month killed scores of people.
A number of press organizations have come under attacks of militants in recent years in Afghanistan.
Shamshad, like most media air anti-Taliban and Daesh advertisements and is seen as running racy songs and soap operas.