Suicide blast occurs near Afghan Defense Ministry, 9 civilians dead

A suicide bomber blasts himself outside the gates of Afghan’s Defense Ministry in Kabul during a visit by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, claiming the death of at least nine civilians and the injury of many others.

The bomber was on a bicycle, when he triggered the blast, AFP quoted Afghan police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai as saying.

The Taliban stated that “the suicide bombing was a “message” for Hagel and that the Defense Ministry was the target.

Spokesman for the Afghan National Army, Zahir Azimi, told AFP that “A suicide attacker has detonated himself within 30 meters of the Defense Ministry gate; resulted in human casualties among civilians,” .

Explosion was followed by gunfire and sirens, reported Reuters.

The blast happened shortly after Hagel arrived in Afghanistan for an official visit.