Besides a tribal group chief and a 10-year-old boy, who were killed as stated in an earlier presidential office statement, one of the two injured parliamentarians and one soldier were confirmed dead, according to local TV reports and a defense ministry spokesman.

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai salutes just before an assassination attempt during a celebration in Kabul April 27, 2008. Karzai escaped unhurt after an assassination attempt by Taliban fighters with guns and rockets during the official celebration in Kabul on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Militants fired gunshots and rockets on a high-profile function featuring a parade, which was attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and several hundred officials, foreign diplomats and local notables.

Explosion and gunfire erupted suddenly at around 9:45 a.m. local time just as all the attendants were standing, listening to the national anthem during which there were celebration cannon firing.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai salutes moments before an assassination attempt during a celebration in Kabul April 27,2008. Karzai escaped unhurt after an assassination attempt by Taliban fighters with guns and rockets during an official celebration in the capital, Kabul, on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Karzai, who had sit in the middle on the stage opposite the buildings where the attacking shots came from and was thought to be the target, left the scene safe under protection of guards.

The presidential office said Karzai and all the foreign dignitaries present were safe. Karzai has ordered a "thorough and urgent" investigation into the case, it said, adding the "enemies "attempting to disrupt the ceremony of 16th anniversary of the nation only "partially disrupted it."

An Afghan helicopter hovers the site of an attack against President Hamid Karzai near the presidential palace in Kabul April 27, 2008. Karzai escaped unhurt after an assassination attempt during an official celebration in the capital, Kabul, on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Karzai, while addressing the public through television, called on the people to remain calm, saying the law enforcers have arrested "some suspects," and the situation is under control.

In a press release released earlier, Karzai's office said Naseer Ahmad Latifi, a leader of local Qezir-bash tribe, who attended the ceremony, was killed. It said a 10-year-old boy also died in the incident, but did not say under what kind of circumstances he was killed.

Afghan National Army (ANA) troops arrive at the scene of an assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai near the presidential palace in Kabul April 27, 2008. Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped unhurt after an assassination attempt by Taliban fighters with guns and rockets during an official celebration in the capital, Kabul, on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Nine others including two parliamentarians, namely Daoud Zazai, and Fazul-rahman Samkanai, were injured, it further said.

A health ministry official, who declined to be named for his lack of authority to speak to media, earlier told Xinhua that among the other seven injured were one military officer, three soldiers, and three civilians.

A latest report of local televisions quoting officials said the seriously-wounded Fazul-rahman Samkanai died in hospital.

Afghan security members escape from an attack against President Hamid Karzai near the presidential palace in Kabul April 27, 2008. Karzai was hussled away but escaped unhurt after an assassination attempt during an official celebration in the capital, Kabul, on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

One injured soldier was also dead, Afghan defense ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said.

The April 27 ceremony marks the 16th anniversary of Mujahideen victory against the former Soviet Union-backed Najibullah communist regime in Afghanistan, which collapsed in April 1992.

The Afghan government had beefed up the security in Kabul especially for the function since some two months ago.

An Afghan journalist runs away after a rocket propelled grenade lands near him during an attack against President Hamid Karzai near the presidential palace in Kabul April 27, 2008. Karzai was hussled away but escaped unhurt after an assassination attempt during an official celebration in the capital, Kabul, on Sunday.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The Taliban, fighting the Afghan government and foreign troops since being ousted from power in late 2001 by a U.S.-led invasion, had taken the responsibility. There has been no official word on the reported deaths or arrests of attackers.

Conflicts and Taliban-related violence have left over 400 people dead so far this year in war-torn Afghanistan, where Taliban militants recently have vowed to launch the "Spring offensive" to intensify their guerrilla-style attacks on the Afghan government and foreign troops.