Suicide bomber in Kabul rams vehicle into NATO convoy; kills 3

A suicide car bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into an international military convoy near US embassy in Kabul today, killing at least three NATO troops and injuring 16 civilians.

The NATO-led ISAF coalition confirmed in a statement that three International Security Assistance Force members died in the attack.

The blast occurred along the strategically significant airport road near the Supreme Court and the US embassy in the Afghanistan capital in the early morning rush-hour, sending dark plumes of smoke over the city.

Taliban has claimed the responsibility for the blast, saying it was a suicide attack targeted to hit a foreign military convoy at the strategic airport road.

The explosion was so powerful that it shook buildings across Kabul and destroyed many vehicles at the spot. Emergency vehicles and foreign troops rushed to help those injured.

The Taliban attack comes nearly two months after the militants on 17 July tried to seize Kabul International Airport but were neutralised by the security forces. In the same month, a Taliban suicide attacker killed at least four foreigners in a compound in Kabul.

The explosion comes at a time when Afghanistan is still mired in political uncertainty, as despite the vote audit, the impasse over the presidential elections results continues. The two presidential candidates, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, both of whom claimed victory in 14 June vote, on Monday negotiated to try to resolve the deadlock.

The attack poses a grave question about the security situation of the country as the US troops prepare to withdraw by the end of the year.