Suicide Bombers Storm Afghan Guest House

Afghan security forces exchange fire with suicide bombers holed up in a guest house used by foreigners in Kunduz province.

The gun battle went on for about two hours, before two of the attackers detonated their explosives. 

A third set off a car bomb at the gates of the guest house at the start of the siege. 

Police say four Afghan security guards employed by a German company have been killed.  

At least ten others including civilians and a police officer were wounded.  

Some nearby residents say they felt the force of the explosions.  

[Habibullah, Resident Living near Guest House]:              

"It was early morning, 3:50 a.m.  We had our midnight meal and right after the meal I was going to the bathroom when suddenly I heard a huge blast.  I saw our windows and doors destroyed and our children were wounded."              

The Taliban says it was behind the attack.              

Violence has increased in the north of Afghanistan in the past year, as insurgents seek to demonstrate their reach beyond their traditional southern heartland.  

Bloodshed throughout the country is at its worst since U.S.-backed forces toppled the Taliban in 2001. 

A gradual handover of security control to Afghan forces started last month. 

They're due to resume full responsibility for security across the country by the end of 2014.