Three Nato troops killed in Afghan bombing

At least three coalition soldiers died after a Taliban suicide car bomber rammed into a foreign military convoy in the Afghan capital Kabul, Nato says.

Another 16 civilians were injured, according to Afghan government sources.

The blast took place in heavy traffic on the airport road near the US embassy at about 08:00 local time (03:30 GMT).

The blast comes amid uncertainty over disputed presidential elections and over the withdrawal of most Nato troops by the end of this year.

A statement from the Nato-led coalition confirmed that three International Security Assistance Force members died in the attack.

The BBC’s David Loyn in Kabul said they were travelling in an armoured landcruiser. The vehicle was destroyed in the blast.

Our correspondent says the explosion shook buildings across the centre of the capital. The blast took place close to the country’s Supreme Court.

The AFP news agency reported that foreign troops were seen giving first aid to blood-stained soldiers from the convoy. The nationality of the dead and injured remains unclear.

BBC Persian’s Kawoon Khamoosh, who was not far from the bomb when it went off, said many people were in shock following the attack. He saw broken glass in nearby buildings and cars.

Another eyewitness, Ahmad Ajmal, had a narrow escape.

He told the Associated Press news agency: “When I got out of the vehicle and started walking, an explosion happened, the same vehicle I was in is there and destroyed.”

Taliban sources told reporters via e-mail and on Twitter that the group had carried out the attack.