Explosions rattle central Kabul following Kerry's visit

April 10, 2016 00:12

Several explosions rang out in central Kabul today, shortly after the US Secretary of State John Kerry left the Afghan capital following an unannounced visit to call for the Taliban to re-enter peace talks.

Authorities were not immediately able to comment on the nature of the blasts nor on whether they had claimed any casualties, but Taliban insurgents frequently attack government and military installations in the city.

"We heard several explosions, but we don't know what caused them," a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Kerry's visit came as Kabul desperately tries to bring the insurgent group back to the negotiating table to end their conflict which began in 2001.

Buoyed by a series of victories on the battlefield, the Islamist group have so far refused to talk until their conditions are met, including the departure of 13,000 foreign soldiers from Afghanistan.

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