Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns Kabul car bombing

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight condemned the car bombing in Kabul, terming it as "unpardonable and deeply distressing".

"News of another attack in Kabul is very saddening. Such attacks are unpardonable & deeply distressing. Condolences to families of deceased," he tweeted.

At least five people were killed today when a Taliban suicide car bomber struck near the entrance of Kabul's international airport, the latest in a wave of lethal bombings in the Afghan capital.

The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the blast, have stepped up attacks amid a bitter leadership transition following the announcement of the death of their leader Mullah Omar.

Observers say the upsurge in violence represents a bid by new leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour to distract attention from the crisis roiling the militant movement as planned peace talks falter.