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Massive Car Bomb Explodes in Afghan Capital

by Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD --

   A massive truck bomb exploded Wednesday morning in the diplomatic
   section of Afghanistan's capital, killing dozens of people and injuring
   many more.

   The blast ripped through the central Wazir Akbar Khan area of Kabul,
   home to foreign diplomatic missions and government offices, damaging
   dozens of vehicles and surrounding buildings. Initial reports said the
   explosives were hidden in a water tanker.

   Afghan health ministry officials told VOA rescue workers had
   transported at least 70 wounded people to hospitals shortly after the
   blast, with many said to be in critical condition.

   Afghan media quoted interior ministry sources as saying the attack left
   more than 50 people dead and more than 150 wounded.

   The target of the massive bombing was not immediately clear. An Afghan
   security official told VOA the attack occurred in an area not far from
   the German embassy and the office of the country's largest cell phone
   company.

   Afghan security forces swiftly cordoned off the area and international
   troops also have arrived at the site to assist in rescue efforts.

   Wednesday's bombing comes amid intensified Taliban attacks on Afghan
   forces while loyalists of Islamic State have also conducted terrorist
   attacks against high-profile targets in recent months.

   The latest violence comes as President Ashraf Ghani is set to host a
   conference of neighboring and regional countries in Kabul next week to
   discuss ways to end an increasingly deadly Afghan conflict.