35 Killed in Afghanistan Bus Blast

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast, which reduced a police bus to a skeleton of black metal.

Soldiers prepare for patrol with Afghan National Police Photo: Tim King

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - In the deadliest attack in Afghanistan since the Taliban regime was toppled six years ago, a suicide bomber has killed 35 people and wounded dozens in Kabul.

Most of the dead were instructors going to work at the city's police academy.

Bystanders and five foreigners were also killed, according to police.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack and said the country would continue to work towards reconstruction despite attacks from the "enemies of Afghanistan".

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast, which reduced a police bus to a skeleton of black metal.

"We have got 35 people killed and 52 wounded," Kabul province police chief Esmatullah Dauladzai told news agency AFP. "Those killed include mostly officers and civilians."

Investigations told news agencies the bombing was carried out by an individual wearing black clothes who was aboard the police bus.

The blast took place in a crowded part of the city centre.

At least 307 Afghan security officials have been killed in violence so far this year, according to an Associated Press tally of figures from the United States, United Nations, NATO and Afghan authorities.