Suicide attack on Turkish vehicle kills two in Kabul

KABUL: A Taliban suicide attack targeting a Turkish diplomatic vehicle killed two people in Kabul Thursday, highlighting the fragile security situation as the Afghan government presses for peace talks with the militants.

The blast came shortly after 8:00 am (0330 GMT), not far from the Iranian embassy. Police said the dead included a Turkish national and an Afghan passer-by.

Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai gave details of the attack and death toll, saying the bomber was driving a Toyota Corolla when he targeted the Turkish vehicle.

Abdul Rahman Rahimi, Kabul police chief, confirmed the death toll in the blast, which the Taliban claimed.

"A suicide bomber blew himself up targeting a foreign convoy in central Kabul, a number of foreigners were killed in the attack," the militants said in a message.

It is the first major attack in Kabul's heavily-secured centre since early January, when a suicide bomber hit a European Union police vehicle, killing a passer by. - AFP