Rocket slams into Kabul HQ of peacekeepers

KABUL, Afghanistan -- A rocket slammed into the headquarters of the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan late Sunday. There were no reports of injuries.

The compound, consisting of several buildings surrounded by high stone walls, is located across the street from the heavily fortified U.S. Embassy. Few peacekeepers were present at the time.

"At this point it appears that a building may have been damaged," German peacekeeping spokesman Lt. Col. Thomas Lobbering said.

A second rocket hit the Pul-e-Charkhi area, on the eastern edge of the Afghan capital. There were no reports of injuries there either.

Police spokesman Haroon Asafi said the rockets were fired from several miles east of Kabul.

The city is patrolled by nearly 5,000 peacekeepers, a 22-nation force under the command of Germany and the Netherlands.

Despite their presence, Kabul has come under frequent attack in recent months. Officials blame Taliban and al-Qaida fugitives and forces loyal to renegade rebel leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

Mohammed Azim, an Afghan soldier on duty outside the peacekeepers' compound, said the Defense Ministry issued a warning four days ago that suspected al-Qaida operatives had entered the city.

"We have been on high alert since then," Azim told The Associated Press. "We were told al Qaida men had come into Kabul and were planning attacks."

With his assault rifle slung over his shoulder, Azim said he was unafraid when he heard the roar of the rocket exploding.

"I have been fighting for five years. This does not make me afraid," he said.