Taliban-led Kabul attack kills 16

Wounded men receive treatment in a hospital after a large explosion in Kabul. (AP)

The death toll from a massive blast claimed by the Taliban in Kabul has risen to 16 people—all civilians—with scores more wounded, an official said Tuesday.

“Sixteen killed, 119 wounded in last night’s attack. The explosion was caused by a tractor filled with explosives,” interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

The attack took place on Monday night in a residential area near Green Village, a large compound that houses aid agencies and international organizations, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said a coordinated attack with a suicide bomber and gunmen was under way.

The attack took place while Afghanistan’s main TV station Tolo News aired an interview with the US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who was discussing a potential deal with the Taliban that would see the US withdraw forces from five bases across Afghanistan.

Gula Jan, a police official, survived the blast despite being just “15-20 feet away”.

“We were sitting in our police truck to the right of the compound’s gate when a car drove directly into the gate and exploded. If we had been outside our truck, we would be dead,” the 45-year-old told Al Jazeera.

“At least two or three of my fellow police officers were severely injured and we have no idea how many more are killed and wounded.

“I was told by my colleague that several gunmen entered the compound after the explosion.”

Khyn Noor, an 18-year-old truck driver, said he rushed to the compound with his brother after receiving calls that his friends and family members who are also truck drivers were injured in the blast.

“We’re here at this petrol station,” he told Al Jazeera. “We don’t know who is dead or alive.”

An intelligence official who works near the compound and spoke to Al Jazeera on the condition of anonymity said he heard a “massive explosion” and rushed to the scene.

“When we arrived, we saw Afghan special forces rushing in on trucks,” the official said. “We had to leave the area because we couldn’t breathe due to the toxic fumes of whatever was used to blow up the compound gate.”

The Green Village has been a frequent target of attacks. Many foreigners live in the compound, which is heavily guarded by Afghan forces and private security guards.

The area was targeted by a suicide car bomber in January who killed at least four people and wounded dozens. (AFP, Aljazeera)