Attack on Afghanistan Parliament is despicable, cowardly act: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the attack on Afghanistan Parliament and termed it as a despicable and cowardly act.

"The attack on the Afghanistan Parliament is a despicable and cowardly act. There is no place for such attacks in a democracy," he tweeted.

"My prayers are with those injured. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Afghanistan in this hour," he added.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has claimed responsibility for the attack on Afghan Parliament on Twitter.

According to Tolo News, Kabul Police Chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi confirmed that a car detonated outside the Parliament earlier today followed by a series of explosions that resulted in immediate evacuation of MPs and journalists from the Parliament.

The attack took place as the new Defence Minister Massoom Stanekzai was being introduced to MPs.

At least nine explosions were heard within a span of half-an-hour along with sporadic gunfire.

Security forces were deployed in the area to try to bring the situation under control, said the Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi.