Taliban car bomber and gunmen attack guest house near Spanish embassy in Kabul

A Taliban spokesman said the attack targeted 'an invader's guest house'

Members of Afghan Crisis Response Unit arrive at the site of a Taliban attack near several foreign embassies and government buildings in the Afghan capital of Kabul, 11 December (Reuters)

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack on a guest house near the Spanish embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, with gunfire reported immediately after the explosion.

Eyewitnesses report an ongoing gun battle in the heavily protected area of the capital, near many foreign embassies and government buildings.

A Spanish police officer was killed and seven civilians were wounded in the explosion.

At least three insurgents were involved in the attack, a police official said. One is thought to have been a suicide bomber while the rest are gunmen.

Members of Afghan Crisis Response Unit and Spanish security forces have arrived at the scene.

Deputy Interior Minister Ayoub Salangi said two of the attackers had been killed by snipers and a third was wounded.

Security forces are proceeding with caution because they were not sure exactly how many attackers might still be inside.

Gunfire and several loud explosions were heard around six hours after the attack began.

Kabul's deputy police chief Gul Agha Rouani said four attackers are hiding in the guesthouse. Three Spaniards were rescued and there are no other foreigners remaining in the building, he added.

"It's not finished," he said. "The attackers are still resisting."

A Taliban spokesman said the attack targeted "an invader's guest house".

Although Spain contributed to the international force in Afghanistan, it withdrew the last of its troops in October - though a few officers remained at the headquarters of Nato's Resolute Support Mission in Kabul.

Additional reporting by Reuters