Kabul hit by powerful explosion, gunfire, at least three dead

A powerful blast followed by sporadic gunfire hit Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Tuesday near the city's heavily fortified "Green Zone", an area home to government buildings and foreign embassies, police officials said. /AFP

A powerful blast followed by sporadic gunfire hit Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Tuesday near the city's heavily fortified "Green Zone", an area home to government buildings and foreign embassies, police officials said.

A senior security official said the blast appeared to have been caused by a car bomb and the apparent target was the residence of a member of parliament.

The blast happened near the home of the country's Defence Minister Bismillahi Mohammadi. In a tweet, the minister said he was "fine".

A ministerial aide told DPA news agency that the minister's family had been evacuated following the attack.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai said gunmen entered the area after the explosion.

Stanekzai said three attackers were killed by security personnel and a clean-up operation was being conducted by police. All roads leading to the minister's house and guesthouse were closed, he added.

Hundreds of residents in the area were moved to safety, said Ferdaws Faramarz, spokesman for the Kabul police chief. He said security personnel were searching house to house should more attackers be hiding in the area.

At least 10 people were wounded in the attack and were taken to hospitals in the capital, Dastgir Nazari, Health Ministry spokesman, said.

(With input from agencies)