[Tolo News] At least seven civilians and two Afghan security forces have been killed while 13 more civilians have been injured in a suicide attack outside the Ministry of Defence in Kabul city Saturday morning, officials said.The attack took place about 09:00 am local time, shortly after the new US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel arrived in Afghanistan on an official visit, chief of Kabul's Criminal Investigation Department General Mohammad Zahir said.
According to Ministry of Defence spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi, the bomber was on a bicycle and detonated his explosives at the first gate of the ministry.
"The bomber was on a bicycle, he was wearing a suicide vest and targeted the reception gate of the ministry. Unfortunately most of the casualties are civilians," he said.
Reports said a loud explosion was followed by the sound of gunfire, but there was only one insurgent attacker - the bomber.
More security forces arrived in the area and brought the situation under control as ambulances took away casualties to nearby hospitals.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast in a text message to media.
"More than 15 soldiers were killed in the attack. The attack happened during the trip of the US defence secretary, and the attack had a message for him," the Taliban said in a statement.