1st LD: Explosion rocks Afghan capital Kabul

KABUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Casualties were feared when an explosion ripped through the western neighborhood of Kabul on Friday, causing panic among the residents, a witness said.

"The blast occurred roughly at 2:40 p.m. local time in Sar-e-Kariz locality of Qala-e-Shada neighborhood. The nature of the blast is not known at this time and there is a fear of casualties," witness Abdul Jalil told Xinhua via telephone.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures. The blast caused a plume of gray smoke to rise above the scene.

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

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The blast is the latest in a string of bombings that have targeted dozens of military and security compounds across the country.

On Nov. 16, 15 people, including eight police officers, were killed and 18 others injured when a suicide bomber struck a political gathering in northern Kabul. Enditem