Kabul: At least eight people lost their lives and 20 people were injured in a bomb attack targeting Afghanistan's acting defence minister. However, the Defence Minister is safe. Officials have informed in this regard on Wednesday. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials said the blast took place on Tuesday in a high-security area near Afghanistan's capital Kabul.

Four terrorists were killed in the encounter that followed the blast. Home Ministry spokesman Mirwaiz Stanekzai said on Wednesday that the death toll could rise. Taliban spokesman Zabeehullah Mujahid issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. The attack comes at a time when the Taliban, the terror group, has stepped up its offensive and has put pressure on provincial capitals in the south and west parts of the country.

Mujahid said in his statement that the attack was in retaliation for the recent attacks by Afghan national forces in various provinces. Stanekzai said the attack appears to have targeted the guest house of acting Defence Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi but the minister is safe. A leader of his party Jamiat e Islami said the minister was not at home at the time of the incident and his family members were evacuated safely.

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