A huge explosion has rocked Kabul close to the U.S. embassy and several Afghan government ministries and security agencies.
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In a press release, the presidential palace said President Ashraf Ghani “strongly condemned the terrorist attack this morning in which a number of our countrymen were killed and wounded”.
Security forces members keep watch at the site of an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan April 19, 2016. However the incident comes just days after Taliban announced spring offensive.
He said that the attack may have been caused by a suicide bomber.
“Witnesses are telling us the attack was followed by some gunfire”.
Warning sirens blared out from the embassy compound, which is also close to the headquarters of the main NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.
None of the insurgent groups including Taliban and Islamic State has so far claimed responsibility of the attack.
Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said a suicide attacker had detonated a vehicle.
The Taliban has over the past year enjoyed a resurgence, buoyed by the withdrawal of most North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and USA forces at the end of 2014, and a flood of foreign fighters joining their ranks.
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A security official said initially reports indicate the blast was triggered by a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED).
