Blast strikes near major political gathering in Kabul: TV

An explosion rattled a large ceremony in western Kabul Thursday, with the event abruptly cancelled and sending attendees fleeing -- including leading government officials and politicians.

"Stay calm, the area of the blast is far from us," said former lower house speaker Mohammad Younus Qanooni during a live broadcast of the event.

But moments after the announcement, another explosion could be heard that sent people running for the exit.