1st LD: Truck bombing hits foreign guesthouse in Kabul

Scores were feared killed and injured after a powerful truck bombing and ensuing gunfire rocked a foreign guesthouse in eastern Kabul in the early hours on Monday, sources and witnesses said.

"The massive explosion struck North Gate guesthouse frequented by foreign contractors and international staff of foreign agencies. The heavily guarded complex is located in Pul-e-Charkhi area along Jalalabad road in eastern edge of the city," a security source told Xinhua near the site.

"The area is not a populated residential district. But there is still fear of casualties as many people were inside the building before the attack. So far, we have no more details, but we will try to get more information," the source said anonymously.

The blast, claimed by the Taliban militant group, occurred roughly at 01:25 local time, when the city was plunged in darkness, causing panic among local residents.

It seems that the security forces had the information about a possible terror attack as electricity was shut down across the city before the blast, he said.

The Afghan Special Operation Forces arrived at the scene shortly after the incident.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures. Media and people were not allowed to enter the site and no one knows what exactly is going on inside and around the stricken compound.

Further details about the incident are still forthcoming amid the absence of official statement.

"More details would be made public later as investigation is underway to find more facts about the incident," the source added.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, told local media that a Taliban suicide squad conducted a complex attack against a foreign guest house and the attack was part of Taliban yearly rebel offensive.

He said the explosion and gunfight have claimed the lives of dozens of foreigners. Enditem