Bomb explodes near US embassy in Afghan

Afghan officials say a bomb attack has struck near the United States embassy in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul killing five people.

The officials said a bomber detonated an explosive laden vehicle outside a bank at a time when many security forces personnel were expected to be collecting their salaries.

The report says nine other people were also wounded in the assault.

The spokesman for the Kabul police chief Bajue Mujahid said the branch of Kabul bank was likely the target of the assault.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.