Large blast rocks Kabul near US, UK embassies

A huge blast rocked the Afghan capital Kabul near the U.S. and U.K. embassies in the city’s diplomatic quarter Saturday, killing three people and wounding 14 others five days ahead of presidential elections.

The blast was at the main gate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and was caused by a suicide bomber, defense ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi told reporters at the site.

"It was a suicide bombing carried out in a car right in front of ISAF. So far we have three dead, and 14 wounded, and we have evacuated them to the military hospital," Azimi said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for a suicide car bomb in front of the heavily fortified headquarters of U.S. and NATO troops in Kabul on Saturday, saying the target was the U.S. embassy nearby.

"The target was the U.S. embassy, but we could not reach it. The suicide car bomber exploded near the ISAF headquarters and killed several foreign troops," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location, referring to the International Security Assistance Force.

The target was the U.S. embassy, but we could not reach it. The suicide car bomber exploded near the ISAF headquarters and killed several foreign troops

Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman

Sirens rang out across the city soon after the blast at about 8:30 a.m. (0400 GMT). No details about casualties or damage were immediately available.

The blast comes just days before Aug. 20 presidential and provincial council elections.

The Taliban, at the center of a mounting insurgency, have not threatened to attack the polls but called on Afghans to boycott the election and instead join their campaign for "independence."

It was the first attack on the city in months, after a spate of suicide blasts last year claimed by the Taliban and other insurgent groups.