Update:

There was a suicide bombing, reportedly several explosions heard, lots of smoke, followed by an attack by fighters.

Numbers of casualties are varying at this point, most seem to be reporting 7 wounded. Al Jazeera is reporting 2 police killed, four attackers dead.

Attack may still be ongoing, but seems to have largely quieted.

Update:

Fighting has now stopped, Consulate is reportedly now secure.

Update:

Via LA Times:

KABUL, Afghanistan — Militants carried out a brazen attack on the U.S. Consulate in the western Afghan city of Herat early Friday, killing two policemen and injuring dozens of other people, including civilians, according to local officials.

No Americans were believed to be among those hurt. The attackers were all reported to have been killed.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which started just before sunrise with a suicide car bombing approximately 60 yards from the consulate entrance, followed by gunfire from militants attempting to enter the compound.

The gun battle between militants and security forces lasted about two hours, said Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, governor of Herat province.

The attackers may have managed to enter the first security ring of the diplomatic compound, but there was no damage to the consulate building, Wahidi said. In a statement it posted on Twitter, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul said that “all Consulate personnel are safe and accounted for.”

All five of the assailants were killed by Afghan and U.S. security forces, Wahidi said.

Keep reading…

Update:

Video of attack, warning video is graphic in parts, showing severely wounded, possibly dead. The identity of the injured shown is not clear.

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