UPDATE 2 - Afghanistan: 14 killed, 145 injured in Taliban bombing

UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK; ADDS REMARKS BY AFGHAN OFFICIALS

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - A Taliban-claimed car bombing killed 14 people, left 145 others wounded in Kabul, Afghan capital, officials confirmed.

The massive explosion hit the crowded Mirwais Maidan neighborhood during the morning rush hours. Initially, the Health Ministry said nearly 100 people got wounded.

Hours after the assault, Gen. Khoshal Sadat, deputy minister for interior affairs, told a presser that the assault targeted a police station, killing 14 people and 145 others wounded, including more than 90 civilians.

He was accompanied by spokesman for the presidency Sediq Sediqi who urged the Taliban not to waste a unique opportunity for peace in the country.

“The Taliban are the main obstacle to peace. This group must stop killing people immediately and seize the opportunity now for peace”, Sediqi said.

Nusrat Rahimi, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, told Anadolu Agency that this followed a large scale operation against the Daesh terror group’s cells in the city overnight.

Sadat told the news conference that three sleeper cells of the group were busted.

“We had achievements in all three operations that we launched in Kabul and the enemies were killed during the operations," he said without mentioning the death toll.

The Taliban took responsibility for the attack via a social media post, claiming a recruitment center of the security forces was targeted.

The assault came as the Taliban continue talks for a proposed peace deal with the U.S. in Qatar.

The attack has been widely condemned by top Afghan officials. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah strongly condemned today's terrorist attacks in Kabul.

"The terrorists aim to disrupt the presidential election campaign. We are committed to the democratic process and our resolve is unshakable. Instead of terrorist attacks, let us resolve our issues through negotiations," he tweeted.