Gun battle in Afghan capital Kabul after dozens injured in powerful blast claimed by Taliban

Gunmen entered a building near the defence ministry after explosives were detonated near the ministry’s engineering and logistics department

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Smoke rising from the site of the attack in Kabul on Monday. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:09pm, 1 Jul 2019Updated: 10:05pm, 1 Jul 2019

At least one person was killed and dozens wounded in a Taliban-claimed attack which saw a powerful car bomb rock Kabul early on Monday, followed by gunmen who battled special forces in an area housing military and government buildings.

Many children were among the wounded, according to a hospital statement, after the rush-hour explosion sent a plume of smoke into the air above the Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of the Afghan capital and shook buildings up to two kilometres away.

Afghan security forces at the scene of the explosion in Kabul. Photo: AP

Reporters could hear gunshots and multiple smaller explosions as fighting between the gunmen and special forces continued more than four hours after the attack began.

“At first, a car bomb took place and then several attackers took over a building. The area is cordoned off by the police special forces and (they) are bringing down the attackers,” interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. He later said that at least one attacker had been killed.

Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar said that at least one person had been killed and 65 wounded – including nine children – and warned that casualties could rise.