Five killed as two bombs go off near Afghan Defense Ministry

At least 10 people are killed as two explosions claimed by Taliban rip through Afghanistan's capital, officials say as the country continues to grapple with insecurity some 15 years after a US-led invasion.

The blasts went off near the Defense Ministry building in Kabul during late afternoon rush hour on Monday.

"Two suicide bombers, both on foot, detonated their explosives... in downtown Kabul," Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said.

"The attackers blew themselves up one after another and unfortunately we do have police and civilian casualties," he added.

Sediqqi said at least 10 people were killed and 30 injured in the blasts.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the blasts on Twitter, saying that the Defense Ministry was the target of the first attack, while police were targeted in the second.

The explosions occurred after 13 people, including seven students, three police, two security guards and a doorman, were killed in an attack on the American University in Kabul on August 24. Thirty students were also injured.

SS