Massive explosion rocks Kabul

A massive explosion rocked Kabul late Wednesday amid fears a British security company had been targeted , officials said , with casualties expected in the latest violence to beset the Afghan capital.The interior ministry and police both said the blast had been a car bomb targeting a compound which houses G4 S , a British security company , in eastern Kabul . There was no immediate confirmation from the company or the British embassy in Kabul , however .

Interior Ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said casualties were “ not known ” .

Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said at least six wounded people had been evacuated from the site , but could not confirm their nationality .

Earlier , sources had said the blast was followed by gunfire . “ There was some gunfire at the beginning , but it has stopped , ” Mujahid said .

There was no immediate claim for the attack . Both the Taliban and the Islamic State group have stepped up their attacks on Kabul , which is one of the deadliest places in the country for civilians .

According to its website, G4 S provides security for the UK Foreign Office in Kabul .

The attack came just hours after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a 12 -person team for prospective peace talks with the Taliban , as the UN renewed calls for direct negotiations between Kabul and the militants.

The Afghan government, Western diplomats and United Nations officials have in recent weeks raised hopes of finally reaching a deal to end the Taliban ’ s 17 -year insurgency .

At an international conference on Afghanistan in Geneva, Ghani said his government had “ formed a 12 – person negotiating team , comprised of both women and men , and led by presidential chief of staff ( Abdul Salam) Rahimi ” .

Rahimi , a former humanitarian worker and ex – deputy Afghan finance minister , is considered one of Ghani’ s closest aides .

However , Wednesday ’ s assault also follows a wave of bloody violence across the war – torn country in recent weeks that has killed hundreds of people as militants step up their attacks .

On November 20 at least 55 people were killed when a bomber blew himself up in the middle of a banquet hall in one of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan this year .

The violence comes as the Taliban intensifies pressure on Afghan security forces , even as the international community ramps up efforts towards talks .

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has expressed hopes that a peace deal to end the war could be struck before the Afghan presidential election , scheduled for April.

His comments underscore an apparent increasing sense of urgency in the White House and among American diplomats for a peace deal to be done quickly .

( AFP )

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