KABUL: A suicide bomber in the Afghan capital on Monday killed at least six civilians close to a security checkpoint leading to the foreign ministry, according to police.
A suicide attacker in Malik Asghar Square was killed, but his explosives went off before he could reach his intended target, according to Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran. He alleged that seven people, including three members of the Taliban security unit, had been injured.
Although the explosion occurred close to a checkpoint that monitors a road lined with heavily defended buildings, including the foreign ministry, in a busy downtown area, he did not name the target.
According to the country director of the nearby Emergency Hospital, 12 injured people and two bodies had been transported there.
In recent months, multiple attacks have targeted Kabul and other urban areas, some of which have been claimed by Daesh extremists.
At least five people were murdered and dozens more were hurt in a bomb that occurred at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January as staff members were leaving the building at the end of the workday.
According to the Taliban administration, multiple raids against alleged Daesh militants have been conducted recently. The administration has stated that its main priority is the security of the nation.
The incident on Monday happened about noon, a time when the city is particularly busy since employees at government offices finish work early during the holy month of Ramadan.