Explosion rocks Kabul city on first day of the new year

An Afghan official says a moderately heavy explosion has occurred in the capital, Kabul, but that there were no immediate details on the cause of the blast or possible casualties. “The explosion happened in Qala-e-Fathullah neighbourhood of Kabul city”.

Defence Minister Khwaja Asif Thursday said the first round of quadrilateral meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan, United States and China would be held on January 16 to work out a comprehensive roadmap for the second round of Afghan peace process.

The attack comes a day after Afghanistan announced four-way talks in Pakistan on January 11, aimed at jump-starting peace negotiations with the resurgent Taliban.

The situation is reportedly under control and the wounded people have been rushed to the emergency hospital reported the officials.

The announcement came four days after President Ghani met with Pakistan’s Army chief General Raheel Sharif in Kabul and the two countries agreed to take action against those armed groups refusing to join the peace process.

Pakistan, which is said to have political sway over the militant group, held historic talks in July 2015. The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility and said one of their suicide bombers had carried out the attack. However, they broke down after the Taliban confirmed the death of their enigmatic leader Mullah Omar.