Afghanistan: Seven dead, 300 injured in Taliban attack

By Zabihullah Tamanna

KABUL, Afghanistan

At least seven people were killed and more than 300 others injured Tuesday in a coordinated attack in the Afghan capital Kabul, health officials said.

Mohammad Ismail Kawoosi, spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Health, said 327 people were transported to area hospitals for treatment.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place approximately 1 kilometer from the presidential palace and the Ministry of Defense.

The attack started with a suicide car bomb that exploded in front of an Afghan intelligence office.

President Ashraf Ghani has condemned the incident and labeled it a terrorist attack.

In Washington, the White House strongly condemned the "cowardly" attack while emphasizing U.S. support for the Afghan government.

"At the outset of this year’s fighting season, we remain committed to supporting the Afghan people and their government," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"We also call on the Taliban to pursue a pathway of peace instead of continuing a military campaign responsible for the senseless deaths of Afghan civilians."

(Anadolu Agency reporter Michael Hernandez contributed to this report from Washington)