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The explosion went off around noon at one of the gates of the National Directorate of Security, and could be heard for miles around the site. The attack, which was followed by sporadic gunfire, was believed to have claimed several lives and left dozens injured, though officials have not confirmed any numbers. Injured victims were seen staggering down the street, many covered in blood, after the attack.

The Taliban later claimed it was responsible for thonsible for the attack.

"We targeted a very important NDS installation in Kabul in the heart of the city, while foreign advisers where there," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, from an undisclosed location.

The site of the blast is near the road leading to the country's Interior Ministry and several embassies and government agencies.

After the attack, which left a chaotic scene throughout the afternoon, armed security officers patrolled the abandoned street in front of the intelligence agency. The area was well sealed a half hour after the blast, with security officers preventing almost everyone - including Afghan police officers - from getting near the site. The blast sent glass and metal spewing out onto the sidewalk from nearby computer and stationary stores, with damage as far away as 150 yards from where the bomb exploded.

Qais Noori, 19, a shopkeeper, said the blast all but destroyed the small stationary shop where he works.

"I was in the shop when suddenly I heard a massive explosion and the roof collapsed," he said, a web of blood covering the left side of his face. "The owner told us all to go home."

The attack near such a tightly secured area rattled many of the workers caught up in the blast. Mohammad Zaqi, 15, was also in his nearby shop when the bomb went off, and bore the evidence of the blast on his face, where a stream of blood had dried over his left eye.

"What else would I feel but insecure?" he asked. "Who are these attackers and why are they killing innocent people?"