At least 10 killed in a car bomb blast in Kabul

A car bomb killed at least 10 people including 2 NATO troops in Kabul on Thursday.

Other 40 people were also injured, the officials reported.

The blast happened near a security checkpoint in a highly protected area close to embassies and government buildings.

Apparent surveillance footage of the attack, which occurred at about 10:10 am (0540 GMT), showed a grey minivan explode just after it had cut in front of a line of white SUVs waiting to make a right turn onto a street.

Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kabul has been gripped by a surge in violence since the US and the Taliban reached an agreement in principle to bring an end to the war.

The American death brings to at least 16 the number of US military killed in action in Afghanistan this year, just as Washington is seeking a way out of its longest war.

As part of the deal with the militants, the US would withdraw 5,400 troops from Afghanistan within 20 weeks, according to US top negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad.

On Twitter, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a "martyrdom seeker" -- or suicide bomber -- had triggered the car bomb and that 12 "foreign invaders" were killed.