Big blast at shop in Afghan capital, several killed

Kabul, Mar 14: Four people were killed and eight wounded in a large explosion at an ammunition shop in the heart of the Afghan capital today, officials said.

Several shops were destroyed in the explosion.

''The blast occured in a shop selling gunpowder and other ammunition for hunting rifles,'' Ali Shah Paktiawal, head of the crime branch of Kabul police, said.

Residents had earlier said the blast was caused by a suicide attack on an Afghan army patrol.

Last year, the bloodiest since the Taliban's ouster in 2001, the city was rocked by several suicide attacks that killed dozens.

The Taliban say they will step up suicide attacks across the country this year.

Reuters