Afghanistan: blasts shake Kabul morning rush hour

The Afghan capital Kabul has been shaken by two explosions during the morning rush hour on Monday, leaving several people dead and injured.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health says at least seven people have been killed, and 20 injured. Reports say journalists were caught up in the second blast, and among the dead is a photographer from the AFP news agency.

Both explosions are said to have occurred close to government buildings: the first near the NDS intelligence service, followed by another outside the headquarters of the ministry of urban development and housing.

A Kabul policeman suggested this might have been a suicide attack, but there has been no confirmation.

The blasts come a week after an attack at a voter registration centre killed 60 people. Security officials have warned of an increasing risk of attacks ahead of parliamentary elections planned for October.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. There has been heavy fighting in several areas of the country since the Taliban announced its usual spring offensive last week.