Gunshots and car alarms echo in an upscale neighborhood in Kabul.

Police there said Taliban insurgents attacked a guest house used by foreigners.

(SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) ZAMIN GUL, AFGHAN POLICE OFFICER, SAYING:

"We were at the area when an explosion happened in our nearby building. After the explosion, we surrounded the area, then I saw some people were in the building and called on us that there are some attackers."

A Reuters witness at the scene saw about 20 people who appeared to be non-Afghans being evacuated.

Many looked frightened and in shock.

A police official said three U.S. citizens, a Peruvian, a Malaysian and one unidentified African were still inside.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) LOCAL RESIDENT, SAYED HAFIZULLAH, SAYING:

"I was sitting at the office when an explosion happened. The glass of the windows had fallen over me. I don't know which office is the target but there is still fighting going on."

The number of deaths and injuries