Blast Rocks Kabul Near U.S. Embassy

(RFE/RL) April 19, 2006 - Afghan authorities say a rocket explosion rocked downtown Kabul tonight near the U.S. Embassy compound and the base for NATO-led forces in the capital.

A U.S. Embassy spokesman told The Associated Press that the blast did not take place inside the compound. He said no embassy personnel was hurt.

Officials in Kabul said one Afghan security contractor was wounded.

They said that the blast occurred inside the grounds housing the state-run television offices.

(AP)