KABUL: Gunfire and explosions were heard in central Kabul on Wednesday morning, witnesses said.

Police jeeps with mounted machineguns and fire engines were seen racing through the streets of the capital soon after 7:00 am (0230 GMT), an AFP photographer said.

Automatic weapons fire began around 6:30 am, witnesses said.

An international security firm said international troops and Afghan police had surrounded a guesthouse in the Shar-e-Now area of the city.

No immediate verification was available from police.