Officials said that Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, was hit by a large explosion Friday morning. Abdul Ghavar Sayedzadar, a senior police official, said that the explosion occurred at the City Centre shopping complex and hotel, about 300 meters from the interior ministry.

He added that the explosion was followed by a second one a short time later. No official information about casualties was immediately available. The area was cordoned off by police.

Police surrounded the shopping complex and an exchange of heavy gunfire took place, said a reporter who was at the scene.

He said that pools of blood could be seen on the ground. He added that the ground was also covered with broken glass from the explosion, which occurred at a building in front of the hotel, from which he could see smoke emanating.

Other witnesses said that few people were on the streets on the rainy morning, a public holiday.

(article source: Hindustan Times, photo source: BBC)