Blast in Kabul leaves many dead and injured

Kabul, June 17 (UNI) A bomb blast targetting a police vehicle ripped through a crowded area of Kabul this morning, leaving at least 30 people dead and scores injured.

The blast, which took place outside the police headquarters in Kabul's district two, targetted a bus carrying police recruits and trainers from different countries including Japan, Korea and Pakistan.

The blast took place around 0800 hrs (local time), normally a rush hour, close to the Police headquarters. At the moment, it is not clear whether the bomb was placed on the bus, inside or in front or was strapped onto a suicide bomber.

Eyewitnesses said bodies were flung out of the bus and body parts strewn around a large area. Most of those killed were policemen and trainers on the bus but casualties also included civilians in the area. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the blast.

The blast follows yesterday's explosion at the same time in a different part of the city.

Yesterday's blast targetting foreign soldiers had led to the death of four civilians including one who died in the firing by the international soldiers following the blast.

The Taliban had also claimed responsibility for yesterday's blast with Taliban spokesman Zabeehullah Mujahid saying the attack was carried out by their member Abdul Karim, resident of Masaee district of Kabul.

The blast came hours before a ceremony to mark the handing over of the police training programme from the Germans to a European Union mission.

The last major blast in the area was outside the Bagram base during the visit of US Vice President Dick Cheney when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate killing 14 people.

In September last year, a suicide bombing outside the Interior Ministry had killed 13 people while 14 people were killed in a blast outside the US embassy in Kabul.

UNI