A 14-year-old suicide bomber has detonated explosives near the heavily barricaded NATO headquarters in Kabul, killing six civilians including children.
The bomber wore a vest packed with explosives and rode right up to the NATO gates on a bicycle, underscoring the insurgents' ability to strike deep inside the Afghan capital, ahead of the withdrawal of most foreign combat forces by the end of 2014.
Scores of young children peddle trinkets and chewing gum around the foreign bases, hoping to earn a bit of cash.
The Taliban took responsibility for the attack, but denied it had deployed a teenage bomber, saying instead he was a 28-year-old who targeted the Kabul offices of the CIA.
NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) condemned the use of children.
"Forcing underage youth to do their dirty work again proves the insurgency's despicable tactics," said spokesman Brigadier General Gunter Katz.
Ministry of Interior spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said six civilians were killed in the attack, which took place just before midday, and five more wounded, including children.
Celebrations were going on in Kabul to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the death of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the hero of the 1980s war against Soviet occupiers, and later of opposition to the Taliban.
Mr Massoud was killed on 9 September 2001 by al-Qaeda militants posing as reporters.
