Breaking: Loud Blast Heard in Afghan Capital

[tekisui]

Source: BBC

A loud explosion has been heard in the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul, reports say.

One report said that the blast happened near a hotel in the city's high-security Wazir Akbar Khan area where many foreigners live and work.

Windows on nearby buildings have been shattered and a cloud of smoke was seen from the area, the report said.

There is still no information about casualties or the cause of the explosion, reports say.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8413163.stm

[libodem]

1. Oh, God

[Lilith Velkor]

2. Oh shit

[tekisui]

3. Explosion rocks Afghan capital

A loud explosion has rocked the Afghan capital, spewing out a huge cloud of black smoke shortly before a major conference on tackling corruption was to begin, AFP reporters say.

Ambulances were seen rushing from the scene of the blast in the upmarket district of Wazir Akhbar Khan, home to many foreign embassies and aid groups.

An interior ministry official said the cause of the blast was not immediately clear.

The blast occurred shortly before 10am (1630 AEDT) as lawmakers, government officials and foreign ambassadors gathered for the conference on efforts to crack down on endemic corruption in Afghanistan.

On Monday, the top US military officer held talks in Kabul on a US surge of 30,000 troops scheduled to start arriving this week, warning that violence in the war-torn country was likely to get worse before it gets better.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/984086/explosion-rocks-afghan-capital

[ConsAreLiars]

4. This happened even though warnings of such a plan had led to intensified security

measures. (As heard on AJE, which has a reporter on the scene now.) Like the last major bombing, it took place within the "green-zone-ish," most highly protected and invader-dominated parts of the city.