Smoke from car in Afghan capital spreads blast fear

KABUL (Reuters) – Smoke from a car engine spread fears of an explosion on a road often targeted by suicide bombers in the Afghan capital on Tuesday with police saying there had been a blast.

But police officials and Reuters witnesses at the scene said the thick cloud of smoke had been caused by a car with engine problems. Crowds gathered round the vehicle thinking there had been a suicide bomb.

The incident occurred on a road leading east from the city and close to several bases used by foreign troops. Troops often travel up and down the road and have been targeted by Taliban suicide bombers there several times in the past.