Explosion, Gunfire Heard In Kabul Diplomatic Quarter

November 27, 2014

Reports say a large explosion has rocked Kabul's diplomatic district, followed by gunfire.

The explosion in district of Wazir Akbar Khan that houses many embassies and foreign compounds, followed an attack earlier on November 27 on a British Embassy vehicle that killed six people, including one British citizen.

The suicide bombing, which wounded more than 30, came the same day as Afghanistan's upper house of the parliament overwhelmingly approved two separate security agreements allowing some 12,500 foreign troops to remain in Afghanistan beyond December 2014.

Eyewitnesses said the powerful blast shook parts of Kabul and sent a huge plume of dust and smoke into the air.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the suicide bomber "targeted foreign invading forces."

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and BBC