Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, survived an assassination attempt yesterday after Taleban militants fired rockets at him while he was giving a speech in a district known as one of their strongholds.

The attack happened in the Andar region of Ghazni province, about 120 miles (200km) south of Kabul. According to witnesses the militants fired between three and six rockets, although the Taleban claimed to have fired twelve. The closest rocket landed and exploded 150 metres from the President. It is not believed that there were any casualties.

A statement from Mr Karzai’s office confirmed the attack, although it said that the rockets “fell far away from the gathering place, and there were no casualties”. Mr Karzai was in Ghazni to meet village elders, local politicians and residents to tell them about government plans to build roads and clinics. The speech was being given in a school playground.

Arif Yaqoubi, a witness, said: “He briefly stopped his speech and the people were concerned and worried. But then Karzai continued by saying: ‘Calm down and don’t worry’.”

According to General Ali Shah Ahmadzai, the provincial police chief, the rocket attack caused President Karzai to cut short his visit. Other government officials denied this. One, who asked not to be named, said: “The President continued his speech and the programme was finished as per schedule.”

Qari Yousef Ahmadi, who claims to speak for the Taleban, said: “When Karzai was meeting the people, the Taleban fired 12 rockets. The rockets fell near by.”

Mr Karzai survived attempts on his life in 2002 and 2004.

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