Explosion heard near the airport in Kabul

Blast heard near Kabul airport, initial reports say house hit by rocket

An explosion has been heard near the airport in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The officials tell Reuters that the strike was carried out by a drone and against a car rigged with explosives that was believed to have been looking to target Kabul airport.

According to foreign media reports, the blast took place at the back of the airport and the Interior Ministry building, while there were also reports of missiles being fired at a building after the blast.

Two witnesses said the blast appeared to have been caused by a rocket that hit a house in an area to the northern side of the airport but there was no immediate confirmation.

Photos of black smoke rising from the area have circulated on social media, and a Health Ministry official confirmed the explosion to the BBC.

However, there was no immediate information on possible casualties or the exact location of the blast.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden said in a briefing that US military commanders had expressed concern over the possibility of another attack on Kabul airport in the next 24 to 36 hours.