An explosive device went off in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday, killing one police officer and injuring three others including two civilians, an official of the Interior Ministry said.


Afghan security forces are seen through the window of a nearby bakery at the site of a bomb blast in Kabul January 4, 2011. (Xinhua/AFP)
"The explosive device was planted in a bag when the shopkeepers discovered it and informed police. Bomb disposal team came to the site and began defusing but suddenly it exploded killing one police officer on the spot and injuring three others including one policeman and two passersby," the unnamed official told Xinhua, adding the outcome of investigation would be released.


The incident occurred at 08:00 a.m. local time (GMT 0430) in Muradkhani area close to the Presidential Palace and the Defense Ministry.


In a previous suicide bomb attack in Kabul on December 19 for which Taliban claimed responsibility, five Afghan army personnel were killed and 10 others sustained injuries.


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet