Kabul police stations come under attack by militants

At least two police stations in the Afghan capital Kabul came under attack on Wednesday with militants using suicide bombers and gunmen to attack security forces.

Loud explosions and gunfire were heard in central Kabul, news agencies reported, with footage showing smoke rising from buildings.

The first attack saw a militant detonate a bomb belt outside a police station in the west of the city, followed with a gunfight between other fighters and security forces.

"The second attack happened in front of police precinct 10 in Shar-e-Naw in central Kabul," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP.

"Two attackers who tried to enter the police compound were shot dead."

Reuters reported that three explosions took place in Kabul.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks that come just over a week after twin blasts in Kabul killed 25 people, including AFP chief photographer Shah Marai and eight other journalists.

Those attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group. 

The Taliban recently launched their annual spring offensive, in an apparent rejection of a peace talks overture by the Afghan government.