Kabul: A powerful heavy explosion has reportedly occurred near the Indian Embassy in the Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan diplomatic area of Afghan capital Kabul.
Many foreign embassies are located in the area, including the American and Canadian embassies.
The Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) has deployed its team in the area for rescue and counter-insurgency operations.
By God's grace, Indian Embassy staff are safe in the massive #Kabul blast.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 31, 2017
AFP reported a huge plume of smoke could be seen rising from the area but it was not clear what the target was and there was no immediate confirmation of any casualties.
Witnesses said dozens of cars were blocking roads and some wounded people could be seen.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the attack came as the resurgent Taliban are stepping up their annual “spring offensive”.
The Islamic State group has also claimed responsibility for several recent bombings in the Afghan capital, including a powerful blast targeting an armoured NATO convoy that killed at least eight people and wounded 28 on May 3.
Explosion in Kabul, reportedly near Wazir Akbar Khan area, Kabul PD 10: Afghan Media pic.twitter.com/5joCXNwkqV
— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2017
Pentagon chief Jim Mattis has warned of “another tough year” for both foreign troops and local forces in Afghanistan, where more than one third of the country is outside of government control.
The blast was the latest in a long line of attacks in the Afghan capital. Kabul province had the highest number of casualties in the first three months of 2017 thanks to multiple attacks in the city, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
ANI/AFP inputs