Dozens killed as Afghan militants target Kabul with ambulance bomb

Militants used an ambulance packed with explosives to target a security checkpoint in the Afghan capital with over 158 injured rushed to hospital.

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

Health ministry spokesman Waheed Majroh told AFP that the toll "now stands at 95 dead, 158 wounded", shortly after another official warned that an earlier death toll of 63 could rise.

Some of the wounded brought to hospitals were in a "critical condition".

"The suicide bomber used an ambulance to pass through the checkpoints. He passed through the first checkpoint saying he was taking a patient to Jamuriate hospital and at the second checkpoint he was recognised and blew his explosive-laden car," interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told the agency.

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

Italian NGO Emergency described the attack 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.

Agencies contributed to this story.