By Xinhua
Kabul: A suicide car bombing in the Afghan capital Thursday killed two foreigners and injured five, officials said.
“Two foreign security personnel working for a security company were killed in the explosion,” said Ali Shah Paktiawal, Kabul deputy police chief. “Three foreigners and two Afghan civilians were injured.”
The officials did not reveal the nationalities of the victims. However, media reports said one American and one Nepalese were killed and three Americans were injured.
One vehicle was totally damaged in the powerful explosion that targeted a convoy.
Another vehicle of the convoy, which was partially damaged, was driven away hastily after the explosion, witnesses said.
The blast occurred at around 9 a.m. (0430 GMT) in District 12, a press officer from the interior ministry said.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
John Thomas, a spokesman of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said the explosion caused some casualties. But he did not know if the convoy belonged to ISAF.
Meanwhile, Taliban militants in the central Ghazni province have released 16 Afghan de-miners whom they had kidnapped Saturday.
Nine mine cleaners were freed Wednesday night, a purported Taliban spokesman Aminullah Atif said from an undisclosed place, adding seven others were released at 5 a.m. Thursday.
One de-miner was still being held captive, but he would be released soon, Atif said.
Engineer Zia, head of a mine-cleaning company, said he was happy to see 16 de-miners released.
Another purported Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said there was no deal between the group and the Afghan government, adding the hostages were released because the Taliban found they were innocent people.
Taliban militants have frequently attacked or even killed Afghans working for foreign troops being deployed here.
Earlier, the police said Taliban kidnapped 18 Afghan de-miners in Ghazni province Saturday. But the Taliban said it only took away 17 people.