Afghan official: Acting Defence Minister targeted in attack

Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai said the blast happened in the posh Sherpur neighbourhood, which is in a deeply secure section of the capital known as the green zone

A powerful explosion rocked an upscale neighbourhood of Afghanistan’s capital in an attack that apparently targeted the country’s acting Defence Minister. At least 10 people were wounded, a health official said. Several smaller explosions could be heard as well as small arms fire. It was unclear if the wounded were hurt in the explosion or by gunfire. No one immediately took responsibility for the attack that took place on Tuesday but it came as Taliban insurgents have been pressing ahead with an offensive that is putting pressure on the provincial capitals in the south and west of the country.