10 killed, 42 wounded in Kabul car bomb blast

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. It was the second major blast by the militant group in Kabul this week while a US envoy has been in town briefing officials on a US-Taliban deal 'in principle' to end America's longest war.

Kabul: At least 10 people were killed and another 42 wounded after a car bomb blast rocked the Afghan capital on Thursday.

Smoke rose from a Kabul neighbourhood housing the US Embassy, the NATO Resolute Support mission and other diplomatic missions.

The Taliban admitted the attack, saying that they targeted three vehicles of 'foreigners' as they tried to enter the heavily guarded Shashdarak area where the Afghan national security authorities have offices.

Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said that the car bomb exploded on the main road, destroying at least 12 vehicles, and police quickly sealed off the area.

The blast appeared to target a checkpoint in Shashdarak. Three bodies and 30 wounded people were brought to nearby Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan hospital, said its director, Gul Ahmad Ayubi.

It was the second major blast by the militant group in Kabul this week while a US envoy has been in town briefing officials on a US-Taliban deal 'in principle' to end America's longest war.