28 killed in Kabul explosion, Taliban claims responsibility for attack

| Updated: Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 15:10 [IST]

Kabul, Apr 19: A loud explosion was heard in the central area of Kabul on Tuesday and black smoke could be seen rising from the vicinity of the US Embassy here.

Warning sirens went off in the US Embassy compund immediately after the explosion. 28 people have been killed and over 160 have been reportedly injured.

An Afghan soldier responds to a Taliban-claimed suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Major explosion near ministry of defence in Kabul, near US embassy. Part of taliban spring offensive @ibnlive pic.twitter.com/HycePSduJT
— Anchal Vohra (@anchalvohra) April 19, 2016

According to reports, the explosion reportedly occurred in PD2 in Pul-e-Mahmood Khan area of Kabul. Gunfire was also reported from the area. A suicide bomber is said to have detonated an explosive-laden vehicle in Kabul outside Secret Service unit responsible for protecting VIPs.

The US Embassy said that they were not affected by the blast.

Heavy security deployment was in place after the suicide bombing. Afghanistan President said that many people were killed, wounded in the attack.

Heavy security deployment in Kabul (Afghanistan) after suicide bombing that killed at least 24 ppl (Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/HPvnbpkRoX
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 19, 2016