A heavy explosion shook central Kabul on Friday evening, followed by what local residents said was apparent shooting.
Afghanistan Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Seddiqi said the blast in the central Sherpur district was probably that of a car bomb.
The broadcaster Tolo News said the explosion went off near the Spanish embassy. The upscale district Sherpur is home to several international organizations as well as many high-ranking politicians.
Further details were not immediately available.
Three days earlier, Taliban fighters attacked the airport of the southern city of Kandahar. In the 27-hour battle that ensued, at least 61 people were killed, including 11 of the attackers.
In the wake of the attack the head of the Afghan secret service NDS, Rahmatullah Nabil, submitted his resignation. Nabil, who had headed the NDS since 2010, had previously come in for sharp criticism after the Taliban in September had temporarily taken the city of Kunduz.
By Ruhullah Khapalwak
