Explosion Outside Kabul Airport; More Than A Dozen Feared Dead, Including Children

Kabul: An explosion outside Kabul airport on Thursday evening has reportedly left more than a dozen dead.

Reuters quoted a Taliban official as saying that there have been at least 13 casualties, including children. According to the spokesperson, Taliban guards have been wounded.

Confirming the news of the explosion, US department of defense on Thursday said it was not sure about casualties.

“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” tweeted Pentagon press secretary John Kirby.

There was a growing threat from Islamic State and other terrorist organisations about an attack on Kabul airport.

According to a witness, several people were or wounded in the explosion which appeared to take place among crowds waiting outside one of the gates at Hamid Karzai International Airport, reported Associated Press.

Countries like France and the Netherlands announced earlier in the day that they will stop evacuation operations immediately. The US had announced an August 31 deadline for a complete withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan.

Even Britain had warned its citizens to stay away from Kabul airport, asking them to leave Afghanistan by other means if possible.