A large explosion took place outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan which killed at least 13 people, as the US-led airlift of thousands continued inside the compound.

A suspected suicide bomb exploded outside the airport after the United States and allies urged Afghans to leave the area because of a threat by Islamic State, Reuters reports.

A Taliban official said many Taliban guards were wounded.

US and allied officials have said they had intelligence that suicide bombers were threatening to attack the airport.

The Pentagon confirmed the blast, with no immediate word on casualties.

"We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can," said Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby.

“We can confirm that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. We will continue to update," he added.

Several nations urged people to avoid the airport earlier in the day, with one saying there was a threat of a suicide bombing. But just days — or even hours for some nations — before the evacuation effort ends, few appeared to heed the call.

Over the last week, the airport has been the scene of some of the most searing images of the chaotic end of America's longest war and the Taliban's takeover, as flight after flight took off carrying those who fear a return to the militants' brutal rule.

Already, some countries have ended their evacuations and begun to withdraw their soldiers and diplomats, signaling the beginning of the end of one of history's largest airlifts. 

Source: livemint.com

BDST: 2106 HRS, AUG 26, 2021
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