Afghan capital blast may have been gas cylinder

KABUL, June 11 (Reuters) An explosion was heard in the Afghan capital, Kabul, today night, but police said it might have been caused by a gas cylinder.

The blast was heard in the northwest of the city, prompting local authorities to investigate. Foreign forces sometimes carry out controlled explosions of ordnance but rarely at night.

''As far as we have checked, it looks like the blast was caused by a faulty gas cylinder,'' said a police officer.

Kabul has had a series of blasts, including suicide attacks against government and Western troops, in recent months caused by Taliban insurgents. The Taliban have been active in southern and eastern areas of the country.

REUTERS DS BST2349