Afghan militants target Kabul with ambulance bomb

Dozens of people have been hurt in a huge bomb attack on a densely packed area of Kabul, officials said Saturday, with militants using an ambulance to target the Afghan capital.

The blast shattered windows in a government and diplomatic district of Kabul, as insurgents continue to target the Afghan capital with shootings and bombings.

An Afghan MP told Reuters that an ambulance approached a security checkpoint as the bomb was detonated.

At least 18 people were injured, health ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh told the agency, but AFP put the casualty figures in the dozens. There is still no information of any dead.

Italian NGO Emergency said more than 50 people were rushed to hospital in what has been described as a "massacre".

The bomb blast comes a week after a Taliban attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, which left more than 40 people dead including many foreigners.

There have been an uptick in attacks on the capital over the past year by the Taliban and an Islamic State group affiliate.

More to follow...