Daring attack: Taliban try to storm Afghan presidential palace (in pics)

New Delhi 26 Jun: Suicide attackers blew up a car bomb and battled security forces outside Afghanistan's Presidential Palace on Tuesday after infiltrating one of the most secure areas of the capital, Kabul. The army said the attackers were killed but knew of no other deaths. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack that came as reporters were gathering for a news event on Afghan youth at which President Hamid Karzai was expected to talk about ongoing efforts to open peace talks with the militant group. The palace is in a large fortified area of downtown Kabul that also includes the U.S. Embassy and the headquarters for the NATO-led coalition forces and where access is heavily restricted. Watch in pictures the daring act by the Taliban suicide bombers: Smoke rises from the gate of the presidential palace in Kabul Afghan soldiers stand guard as smoke rises from the gate of the presidential palace Afghan security forces investigate near the entrance gate of the presidential palace Afghan national security arrive near the entrance gate of the presidential palace Afghan security forces stand guard near the entrance gate of the presidential palace Armed militants opened fire on Afghan presidential palace in Kabul early morning Afghan school girls walk near the entrance gate of the presidential palace after an attack by the Taliban The attack began soon after 6.30 am (7:30 am IST), when at least one man opened fire with an automatic rifle at a palace's gate in the central Shash Darak district