国际英语新闻:1 killed, 13 injured as blast rocks Kabul

KABUL, July 28 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was confirmed dead and 13 others were injured as a blast rocked Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Sunday, spokesman for the health ministry Wahidullah Mayar said.

"One dead body and 13 injured persons have been taken to hospitals following the blast," Mayar told Xinhua.

The blast, according to Nasrat Rahimi, spokesman for the interior ministry, took place at 4:40 p.m. local time, followed by a gun battle.

Following the blast, which happened in Police District 15, militants entered a building and started firing close to the office of presidential running mate Amrullah Saleh, causing six persons injured, Rahimi said.

"Police have cordoned off the area and have brought the situation under control," Rahimi told Xinhua.

However, local media reported that Amrullah Saleh was injured in the blast and gunshots.

Rejecting the reports, Rahimi said that Saleh had been rescued and shifted to a safe place unharmed.

No group has claimed responsibility. However, officials did not rule out the involvement of anti-government militants including the Taliban, with an aim to sabotage the elections.

The 60-day Afghan presidential elections campaign started on Sunday and Saleh is a candidate for the post of the first vice president. Saleh has been supporting incumbent President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in the race, slated for Sept. 28.