Afghan policemen stand at the blast site near the Defense Ministry building in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, April 12, 2017. At least five civilians were killed and three others wounded in a suicide bombing near the government office buildings in central of Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday, a spokesman of the Interior Ministry said. (Xinhua/Lu Shuqun)
KABUL, April 12 (Xinhua) -- At least five civilians were killed and three others wounded in a suicide bombing near the government office buildings in central of Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday, a spokesman of the Interior Ministry said.
"One suicide bomber detonated his explosive-jacket in a roadside in Pul-e-Yakpaysagi locality in police District Two of Kabul city. As a result five civilians were martyred and three others wounded," spokesman Najib Danish said in a statement.
The blast took place roughly at 04:05 p.m. local time in a area where the Defense Ministry building, Ministry of Finance and a police station are located, according to Danish.
He said police have launched a probe into the incident and further details will be share with media later on the day.
Unofficial sources told local media that the obvious target of the attack was a running bus carrying government's employees.
The local affiliates of Islamic State (IS) group have claimed responsibility for the bombing, according to local media.
More than 3,490 civilians were killed and over 7,920 others injured in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan last year, according to figures released by the UN mission in the country.
