At least nine people have been killed and fourteen injured in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan. The bomber targeted the country's Defence Ministry building in Kabul.
A suicide bomber on a bicycle struck outside the Afghan Defense Ministry today in one of two attacks that claimed the lives of at least 18 people. Nine people were killed in the bombing at the ministry.
Around half an hour later, another suicide bomber attacked a police checkpoint in Khost, in eastern Afghanistan. An Afghan policeman and eight civilians died in the blast.
The Taliban says it was behind the attack at the ministry which coincided with a visit to the area by the US Defence Minister.
Taliban claims Kabul attack is 'message' for Hagel
Chuck Hagel made the trip to Kabul via the Manas Air Force Base in Kyrgyzstan. Credit: REUTERS/Jason Reed
The Afghan Taliban has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack at an Afghan defence ministry gate in Kabul.
They said in a statement the attack "is a kind of message" for US defence secretary Chuck Hagel, who is visiting the country.
Hagel, who was in a safe location at an ISAF facility at the time of the blast, has planned to meet US commanders and troops and hold talks with President Hamid Karzai.
An Afghan defence ministry official told Reuters at least nine civilians had been killed and 14 people wounded in today's attack.
Official: At least eight Afghans killed in suicide attack
At least eight Afghan civilians have been killed in a suicide attack outside the defence ministry in Kabul, an Afghan official has told the Associated Press.
The Reuters news agency cited an official as saying at least nine people had died in the blast.
