UPDATE 2 - 10 killed as huge explosion rocks Afghan capital

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY TALIBAN

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - At least 10 people were killed and 65 more injured in a suicide bombing, followed by gunfight at a Defense Ministry’s installation in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, officials and local media confirmed.

According to the Government Media Information Centre in Kabul, it was a suicide attack in the vicinity of the Pul-e-Mehmood Khan close to the old Bazar neighborhood.

An Anadolu Agency correspondent witnessed the exchange of fire at the Ministry of Defense's logistic department in the area. School children were among the injured.

According to the local Salam Afghanistan radio, at least 10 people were killed in the attack.

The blast site is close to the Afghanistan Football Federation and Ghazi Stadium, a private TV channel and residential compounds, local broadcaster Tolo news reported.

Quoting Football Federation officials, the broadcaster reported that at least 16 members of the federation were wounded.

The explosion also damaged the federation building.

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. "[...] based on primary information, dozens of Ministry of Defense officers and soldiers have been killed," Zabihullah Mujahed, the Taliban spokesman, said in a social media post.

This comes as the insurgents continue to engage in seventh round of peace talks with the U.S. in Doha, Qatar.

* Riyaz ul Khaliq in Ankara contributed to this story.