1st LD: Explosion rocks Kandahar, casualties feared

Casualties were feared as an explosion rocked Kandahar city, capital of southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, on Sunday, a provincial government spokesman said.

"We still cannot provide details on causalities. There is fear of possible causalities," spokesman Samim Khpalwak told Xinhua, adding that the details of the incident will be revealed to public later.

Unofficial sources said the nature of blast was a suicide bombing which targeted a Shiite Muslim shrine in the first police district of the city at around 6:45 p.m. local time.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

A thick black smoke was seen rise above the site of the attack. Endi