Kabul bombing: several dead as Indian Embassy is targeted - Telegraph
Witnesses said a Toyota 4x4 packed with explosives detonated as people went to work in one of the most heavily secured regions of the city centre.
Following the blast at around 8.30am (4.30 GMT) a shattered bus and several vehicles could be seen nearby and a block of shops opposite was totally destroyed.
Windows were shattered hundreds of metres away.
Ahmad Jan Kurami, 34, who was nearby at the time of the blast said he has seen at least three lifeless bodies being dragged from a car.
He said: There was dust everywhere, I couldnt see anything at first.
The Indian embassy was devastated in a suicide bombing allegedly linked to the Pakistani intelligence services in July 2008 with more than 50 people killed.
Since then the road to the embassy has been closed to most traffic and the embassy has been shrouded in blast walls.
The blast defences were badly damaged in the explosion, though it was not clear if anyone inside the embassy had been injured.
A neighbouring street also houses a government passport office and the houses of several prominent politicians, including Syed Ishaq Gailani, MP for Paktika province.
Mr Gailani told the Daily Telegraph: I dont know whether I was the target, or the passport office or the embassy.
The area of the blast contained many small shops photocopying documents and taking photos of people waiting for visas.
The attack came just hours after Indias foreign secretary reaffirmed New Delhis commitment to supporting the Afghan government through a $1.2 billion aid programme.
India is a significant aid donor to Afghanistan and has played a key role in building roads in remote provinces, installing telecommunications systems, schools, hospitals and a dam project close to Herat.
But its increasing involvement has brought fierce criticism from Pakistan, which jealously guards its influence in Afghanistan as part of its 'strategic depth. It believes Indias increased number of consulates throughout the country are part of a plot to destabilise its own restive Balochistan province.
Senior American officials have recently echoed Pakistans concerns about Indian involvement and said it could exacerbate regional tensions.
Indian political and economic influence is increasing in Afghanistan, including significant development efforts and financial investment.
In addition, the current Afghan government is perceived by Islamabad to be pro-Indian. While Indian activities largely benefit the Afghan people, increasing Indian influence in Afghanistan is likely to exacerbate regional tensions and encourage Pakistani countermeasures in Afghanistan or India, General Stanley McChrystal said last month.
India however has rejected the criticism and reaffirmed its commitment to playing a role in the countrys development. India has already made up its mind invest and endure, because we believe in the cause of peace, democracy and development in Afghanistan, its foreign secretary Ms Nirupama Rao told a seminar on Wednesday.
Kabul bombing: several dead as Indian Embassy is targeted - Telegraph