Suicide bombing in Kabul after Chuck Hagel arrives

The bomb exploded outside the Afghan defense ministry in the center of Kabul as US Defense Secretary Hagel began his first official visit to Afghanistan. He was nowhere near the blast. Pentagon spokesman George Little said the secretary was in a briefing at a US-led coalition facility in another part of the city when the explosion occurred. The briefing continued without interruption, he said.

At least seven civilians were killed and seven others wounded. The explosion by a bicycle bomber was followed by heavy gunfire.