1st LD: Another explosion rocks Afghan capital

Casualties were feared after a powerful explosion rocked the western part of the Afghan capital Friday night, sources and witnesses said.

"A powerful blast shocked me as it took place at about 7:35 p.m. local time (1505 GMT) near the police academy building," witness Ahmad Farshad told Xinhua.

"We still cannot provide details on causalities as the explosion took place at this moment. The nature of the blast looked like a car bombing," a security source said. "There is fear of possible causalities, both civilian and police."

The blast occurred near the police academy which is located in Khushal Khan district, a populated area in western Kabul, the source added.

Security forces have cordoned off the area as a thick black smoke was seen rising above the site.

Police vehicles and ambulances were rushing toward the site while fire engines also arrived at the site, witness noted.

The blast is the second attack in the capital Friday. About 15 civilians were killed and over 240 others wounded when a massive truck bombing struck near an army compound in southeastern Kabul in the wee hours of the day. Endi