Afghan security personnel stand guard near the explosion site in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, May 8, 2019. At least one assailant was killed and nine people were injured after a Taliban suicide car bomb explosion rocked outside an aid agency in the central part of Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on Wednesday, the government said. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

KABUL, May 8 (Xinhua) -- At least one assailant was killed and nine people were injured after a Taliban suicide car bomb explosion rocked outside an aid agency in the central part of Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on Wednesday, the government said.

"As a result of today's explosion in Shahr-e-Naw locality of Kabul city, nine wounded patients were evacuated to our hospitals so far," Wahidullah Mayar, spokesman of Afghan Ministry of Public Health, tweeted.

The obvious target of the attack that occurred at midday was Counterpart International, a U.S. aid agency, local media reported.

The security forces also recovered a car bomb near the site and bomb disposal teams were working to defuse or detonate it, according to Tolo News TV.

More than 150 people were evacuated from the targeted building and surrounding offices and houses.

A search operation by elite police forces was underway at the site and surrounding area as it was suspected that several Taliban gunmen penetrated the buildings.

The blast also damaged several buildings and cars in the business district.

The Taliban militant group has claimed responsibility for the incident.