At least 53 wounded as powerful car bomb rocks Afghanistan's Kabul

Dozens of people were wounded with fatalities feared as a powerful car bomb rocked Kabul early Monday and gunmen battled special forces in an area housing military and government buildings, officials said.

rush-hour explosion sent a plume of smoke into air above Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of Afghan capital and shook buildings up to two kilometres (1.2 miles) away, with an AFP reporter saying he could hear gunshots after blast.

"At first, a car bomb took place and n several attackers took over a building. area is cordoned off by police special forces and (y) are bringing down attackers," interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.

Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar tweeted that 53 wounded patients h been taken to hospital, warning that figures could rise.

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area was quickly blocked off by Afghan forces and ambulances, while nearby "Green Zone" diplomatic area was put on lockdown, with one allowed in or out.

heavily-secured neighbourhood is home to some military and government buildings, including one shared by Afghanistan's intelligence ncy and defence ministry, as well as Afghan Football Federation and Afghan Cricket Board.

Shams Amini, a football federation spokesman, told AFP that blast occurred near federation's gates.

"Some of our colleagues are trapped inside, we have reports of some injuries. We don't kw if attackers have entered building," he said.

Nearby Shamsh TV station, which was attacked in 2017, aired ims of broken glass and dam to its offices but said it was t target.

group immediately claimed responsibility, and police said y did t yet kw target or nature of blast.

Both Taliban and so-called Islamic State group are active in Kabul.

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explosion came two days after Taliban and US began ir seventh round of talks in Qatari capital of Doha as Washington's eyes a breakthrough before Afghanistan's September presidential election.

negotiations have so far centered on four issues -- counter-terrorism, foreign troop presence, an intra-Afghan dialogue, and a permanent ceasefire.

A potential deal would see US agree to withdraw its troops after more than 17 years in Afghanistan, igniting deep concerns among huge swas of Afghans who fear militants will return to some semblance of power.

In return, Taliban would guarantee country would never again become a safe haven for violent extremist groups, as happened with Al-Qaeda before September 11, 2001 attacks.

US officials have previously said y are hoping for a deal before upcoming Afghan presidential elections, which have alrey been delayed twice and are w slated for September 28.