Soldier dies in Afghan security office attack

The Taliban claimed responsibility Wednesday for a midday suicide attack near an office of Afghanistan's national security agency in central Kabul that killed a soldier and wounded 30 other people.

The insurgents targeted a division of the National Directorate of Security, which is near the Afghan Interior Ministry, Kabul Police Chief Mohammad Ayoub Salangi said.

One suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden car, but five other attackers were killed by Afghan security forces. A second car bomb was neutralized, Salangi said.

One soldier from the security directorate was killed.

An e-mail from Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the group was targeting government officials and foreigners who were leaving a meeting at the building.

Police said injuries from the attack ranged from serious to light, while the Taliban said a number of people were killed.