At least 26 killed and 18 wounded after blast in Kabul

At least 26 people have been killed and 18 wounded in a suspected suicide bomb attack near a shrine in the Afghan capital Kabul, officials say.

Reports suggest the bomber attacked a crowd of hundreds of people who had gathered to celebrate the start of Nowruz, the New Year festival.

The explosion occurred in in PD3 area of Kabul.The blast site is close to the Ali Abad hospital and Kabul University.

PD3 police chief Abdulhamid Chakari has confirmed a car bomb was used in today's explosion. 

He did not give any further details but casualties are feared. 

Eyewitnesses say it was a suicide bombing and all casualties were civilians but police officials have not commented on the incident so far.

Security forces have quardend off the area.