Kabul Rocked By Blast Day Before New Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Sworn In

A magnetic bomb destroyed a military vehicle in the diplomatic district of the Afghan capital Kabul Sunday, on the eve of the inauguration of the country’s new president, Al-Jazeera reported. A number of foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony, which is happening after prolonged political turmoil.

“At 9:15 this morning [12:45 a.m. EDT], a sticky bomb attached to an Afghan army vehicle exploded in Zanbag Square ... only injuring the driver,” Najib Danish, an interior-ministry representative, told Reuters.

The blast occurred despite the heightened security measures put in place in advance of the presidential inauguration. President-elect Ashraf Ghani is set to be sworn in as the new leader of the war-torn country after months of political wrangling in the wake of disputed election results.

In a separate attack, five police personnel were killed in an explosion in central Maidan Wardak province. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.