(VOVworld) – 5 Taliban gunmen on Friday attacked a guest house in Kabul, Afghanistan where many foreigners were residing.

Afghanistan special forces and police have surrounded the area, which is close to Parliament (Photo: Reuters)

The attack took place one week ahead of the presidential election.  Kabul police chief Mohammad Zahir said no casualties of foreigners have been reported. 31 people have been safely evacuated. The guest house is the headquarters of a US charity organization. US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf and US ambassador to Afghanistan James Cunningham criticized Taliban’s attack. There are several guest houses in the same street as the one attacked on Friday, as well as campaign offices for several presidential candidates.