34 killed, 68 injured as blast rocks Kabul, Taliban claims responsibility

Up to 34 people have been confirmed dead and 68 injured people have been taken to hospitals after a powerful blast rocked Kabul in the morning rush hour on Monday, local broadcaster the Tolo TV reported.

An Afghan health worker carries a wounded school student after a car bomb blast targeted a governmental institution in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan, July 1, 2019. [Photo: EPA via IC/Jawad Jalali]

An eyewitness on the condition of anonymity told Xinhua that some militants entered an under-construction building at around 9:00 a.m. local time and exchanged fire with security forces on the spot.

According to the eyewitness, the militants first detonated their explosive-laden car and then begun firing around.

Smokes rises after a huge explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, July 1, 2019. Powerful explosion rocks Afghan capital, with smoke seen billowing from downtown area near U.S. Embassy. [Photo: IC]

The area is close to a branch of logistic department of the defense ministry, a sports stadium, a branch of the information and culture ministry, and some residential apartments.

The security forces have cordoned off the area and did not allow journalists to get access to the site of the incident.

Police have not made comments on the situation yet.

Taliban militants have claimed responsibility. Zabihullah Majahid who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit told media that the militant group targeted a military base in Kabul with a truck bomb on Monday morning, destroying the base and inflicting huge casualties to the security personnel based there.