Eight killed in Afghan bomb attack

A witness told the Reuters news agency that a child was also among the dead. Six other people were wounded.

The Taliban said that they carried out the bombing – and claimed they were targetting foreigners in the capital.

“We claim responsibility for the attack, and it was carried out at a time when foreigners were shopping, including the head of a security company,” said a Taliban spokesman.

A police officer at the scene said the bomber walked into the Finest supermarket in the centre of Kabul, and blew himself up. Reports say that he opened fire before activating his explosive.

The explosion set off a fire inside the shop, sending plumes of smoke into the sky, while piles of canned produce and other goods were flung across the floor, making it more difficult for police officers to reach the victims.

The shop is situated in the Wazir Akbar Khan district of the city, near several Western diplomatic buildings.

It was the first major attack on civilians in Kabul since last February, but violence in Afghanistan is now at its worst level since the Western invasion in 2001 – with record numbers of casualties on both sides.