Huge blast rocks Kabul, Taliban claims attack

Kabul: A huge explosion has rocked Kabul, local media reported. According to witnesses, the bomb was struck at about 1.25 a.m. (local time) on Monday and was heard across most of the city.

Officials said that it was a truck bomb at the North Gate compound housing foreign contractors and four attackers may be involved. The Taliban said it carried out the attack. No casualties were reported. Power in parts of Kabul was briefly cut off shortly before the explosion. Last week, two suicide bombers linked to the Islamic State (IS) killed 80 persons and over 230 wounded in Kabul.

In July 2013, North Gate guesthouse came under attack when five militants blasted open a wall with a truck bomb and made their way into the compound. Five security guards were killed before the attackers were gunned down.

IANS