Taliban claims responsibility for Kabul blast

Kabul: A Taliban suicide bomber targeted a Nato convoy in downtown Kabul on Sunday, triggering a powerful explosion in a rush-hour attack that comes just days after the resurgent militant group overran a key northern city.

No casualties were immediately reported from the bombing, which sent a thick plume of smoke rising into the sky, as the Taliban ramp up attacks on government and foreign targets.

Security officials cordoned off the area as ambulances with wailing sirens rushed to the scene, which was littered with the mangled wreckage of vehicles, according to an AFP photographer.

“The explosion occurred in the Joy Shir area of Kabul city. It was a suicide attack targeting a foreign forces convoy,” Kabul police spokesman Ebadullah Karimi told AFP.

Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said there was no word so far on any casualties.

A Nato spokesman in Kabul confirmed that their convoy came under attack but said the international coalition was still gathering further information.