5 dead, 9 hurt in bombing near U.S. embassy in Kabul

Aug. 29 (UPI) -- A suicide bombing at a bank in Afghanistan Tuesday killed five people and injured nine others.

The bomber targeted a New Kabul Bank branch close to the U.S. embassy in the Afghan capital, where security personnel were waiting for their paychecks before the Muslim Eid holiday this week, the Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

The Taliban took responsibility for that attack, the report said.

Khaama Press sources also confirmed the explosion was triggered by a suicide bomb blast.

Najib Danish, an interior ministry spokesman, said the front of the private bank and several adjacent businesses were damaged. Also, a charred motorcycle used by the bomber littered the street.

A security guard was among those killed, Danish said, adding that a suspect was arrested and investigation was underway.

Mohammad Salim Rasouli, chief of Kabul hospitals at the health ministry, said the casualty toll could rise.

During the first six months this year, 209 civilians have been killed and nearly 800 injured in suicide attacks in Kabul, according to U.N. figures -- a 69 percent increase from the same period last year.

Three months ago, a truck bomb in the same area killed more than 150 people.