Suicide bomber attacks Afghanistan capital leaving dozens of casualties - Action News
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Suicide bomber attacks Afghanistan capital leaving dozens of casualties

A suicide bomber in the Afghan capital caused dozens of casualties on Thursday after blowing himself up close to a group of security personnel who were carrying out an operation against illegal drugs and alcohol dealing, officials say.

11 dead, 25 wounded brought to hospital after blast in area near U.S. embassy and other foreign missions

This image made from video shows ambulances and security forces near the scene of suicide bombing in Kabul on Thursday. (Associated Press)

A suicide bomber in the Afghan capital caused dozens of casualties on Thursday after blowing himself up close to a group of security personnel who were carrying out an operation against illegal drugs and alcohol dealing, officials said.

Wahid Majroh, a spokesman for the ministry of public health, said 11 dead and 25 wounded had been brought to city hospitals after the blast in an area of the city not far from the U.S. Embassy and other foreign missions.

As security forces arrived, a Reuters reporter saw four police vehicles carrying dead or wounded security personnel from the scene.

A security official at the scene confirmed the explosion had been caused by a suicide attack and Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said at least five police had been killed.

Police officers at the scene said the bomber had been wearing a police or army uniform and had approached a group of security personnel near where the controls on illegal drugs and alcohol had been carried out, but there was no official confirmation.

ISIS claims responsibility

"Kabul police forces were there to prevent a possible protest when a suicide bomber approached them and detonated his suicide vest," Mujahid said.

Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for theattack,the militant group's Amaq news agency said, though itgave no evidence to support the claim.

People carry the body of one of the victims of a suicide attack at the Shia cultural centre in Kabul on Dec. 29. (Omar Sobhani/Reuters)

While Afghan forces backed by U.S. air strikes have claimed some success against Taliban insurgents since the United States announced a stepped up military strategy last year, high profile attacks on civilian targets in Kabul have continued.

2nd bombing in days

The attack happened days after a suicide bomber killed at least 41 people and wounded more than 80 at a Shiacultural centre in Kabul, underlining the precarious security situation in the Afghan capital.

That attack was also claimed by ISIS, which has claimed responsibility for a number of similar attacks in Afghanistan over the past two years.