The area was rocked by at least five more explosions and gunfire overnight as security forces tried to flush out Taliban attackers. Hours later, the U.N. Security Council issued a condemnation that said an Afghan policeman had been killed as well.
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Shir Pur resident Mohammad Zaman said the explosion, which sent a giant cloud of smoke into the sky, was so powerful it broke his glasses.
In addition, seven civilians and two policemen were injured, Mr. Sediqqi said.
The incident caused confusion in Spain, as Rajoy initially insisted to television audiences during an election rally that the embassy had not come under attack.
Madrid denounced the assault as “an attack on Spain”. More than 10 hours were needed in order to put the area under control by local security forces.
Friday’s attack followed a separate Taliban attack on the airport complex in the southern city of Kandahar, in which at least 50 civilians and security forces personnel were killed.
The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Taliban, as their spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed.
Reports suggest that the blast appeared to have taken place in a vehicle near the Spanish Embassy in the city’s affluent Sherpur area, which has many foreign embassies and government buildings.
In a statement, the Taliban taunted authorities with the “shame and humiliation” of not being able to prevent an attack in the heart of the capital.
“Or that they are keen to wrangle big concessions from Kabul before they come to the negotiating table”.
His resignation highlighted the domestic backlash Mr Ghani faces over his attempts to fix strained relations with Islamabad.
The president has staked considerable political capital in advocating bonhomie with Afghanistan’s neighbour, which has always been accused of supporting the Taliban.
Mr Ghani shrugged off criticism on Friday, saying Pakistan had promised to go after Taleban factions that refuse to stand down.
Earlier this year, the country’s security had been taken over by the Afghanistan military from the hands of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, but since then it had struggled to maintain the peace and order in the war torn nation. Mr Ghani asked during a press conference on Friday.
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But the Taleban rebuffed his remarks.
