KABUL: A roadside bomb in Kabul targetted Afghan First Vice-President Amrullah Saleh on Wednesday morning, his spokesman said, but he escaped unharmed.
Initially, Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said at least two civilians died but the death toll later rose to 10 victims. The ministry said at least 15 people were wounded.
The Taliban, who have pledged not to launch attacks in urban areas under a deal with the US, denied responsibility.
In a video posted on Facebook soon after the explosion, Saleh, with bandages on his left hand, said he had been travelling to his office when his convoy was attacked.
“I am fine but some of my guards have been wounded. My son, who was in the car with me, and I are both fine,” Saleh said. “I have some burns on my face and hand. The blast was strong.”
“This vicious terrorist attempt has failed and Saleh survived today’s bombing in Kabul,” Saleh’s spokesperson Razwan Murad said, without offering more details.
The roads in the vicinity of the bombing were closed off.
Huge fire
Arian said the blast also ignited a huge fire in the area, a section of Kabul where shops sell gas cylinders for use in heating homes and cooking. He feared the casualty figures could rise further.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed denied the rebels were involved in any way, saying that “today’s explosion in Kabul has nothing to do with the Mujahedeen of the Islamic Emirate”.