Afghan police kill would-be bomber in Kabul

An Afghan police officer has opened fire, killing a bomber at an outdoor blood donation facility in central Kabul.

The bomber approached the center and was about to launch a terrorist attack when the officer guarding the facility opened fire, setting off a deadly blast in the bomber’s explosive vest, according to Hashmat Stanekzai, a spokesman for Kabul police, on Monday.

No group or individual has claimed the incident in which the only casualty was the bomber.

In recent weeks, Kabul has witnessed deadly attacks leaving dozens of people including nine journalists killed.

Bloodshed as deadly blasts rip through Kabul

Two bomb explosions have hit near government buildings in the heart of the Afghan capital, leaving dozens of casualties, including several journalists.

The rise in attacks in the Afghan capital came after the Taliban announced the beginning of their spring offensive on April 25.

Meanwhile, Afghan officials said seven Indian engineers and an Afghan national in northern Baghlan province had been kidnapped on Sunday.

Zabihullah Shuja, spokesman for Baghlan police, said the engineers were traveling to a government-run power station in a rented vehicle with an Afghan driver when unknown gunmen abducted them.

Two officials at the Indian embassy in Kabul confirmed the kidnapping.

A senior Indian embassy official said over 150 Indian engineers and technical experts were currently working across Afghanistan on large infrastructure projects.

“We are working out ways to ensure the release of our engineers,” the official said.

It is not not clear who is responsible for the kidnapping or whether a ransom has been sought for their release.

The Indian government regularly issues a security alert for Indians residing or traveling to the war-torn country.

In 2016, an Indian aid worker was kidnapped in Kabul. She was released after 40 days. Kidnapping for ransom is a common activity in Afghanistan.