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Kabul suicide blast kills 5 people

ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (KUNA) -- At least five people were killed and eight others wounded in the suicide blast outside Kabul Bank branch near the US embassy, said officials Tuesday.
The blast occurred on a street lined with banks and shops leading to Massoud Square near the embassy, close to Kabul's diplomatic area, said Brigadier General Hamayoon, who is in charge of the 119 police helpline.
The attacker's target was the Kabul Bank branch in the area, he added.
On his part, spokesman for Interior Ministry Najib Danish said the blast occurred at a time when many government officials and soldiers were collecting their salaries. A security guard at the bank was among the five dead people, he added.
Buildings in the area sustained substantial damage due to the heavy explosion.
According to local media, Taliban rebels claimed responsibility for the attack that came after US President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for Afghanistan, which involves maintaining a US military presence in the country. (pickup previous) sbk.ag