A loud explosion has rocked the centre of the Afghan capital, Kabul, reports and witnesses say. Reports said that the blast happened in the city’s high-security Wazir Akbar Khan area where many diplomats and 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.
The explosion happened shortly before Afghan leader, President Hamid Karzai, opens a three-day conference on corruption, as he faces mounting Western pressure to curb the rampant problem in his country.
On Monday, the top US military officer held talks in Kabul ahead of a surge of 30,000 American troops to fight Taliban and other insurgents.
Adm Mike Mullen said violence in Afghanistan was likely to get worse before it gets better.
“I told our troops heading here to steel themselves for more combat and more casualties,” he said.