A series of suicide blasts in central Kabul today killed at least 17 people and injured more than 30.

A car bomb exploded on the edge of a large park just after 6.30am, destroying a single storey guesthouse popular with Indian contractors.

Eyewitnesses said the streets were deserted as most people were still asleep on the start of the Afghan weekend, which is also part of a religious holiday.

Moments later witnesses said there was a second explosion followed by gunfire. Police and elite counter terrorism troops fought for more than three hours as rescuers continued to heave bodies out of four wrecked buildings.

“The first explosion was the loudest,” said Ahmed Shah, 28. “I ran outside and saw police covered with dust all over their faces. They told me to go inside.”

Police said four Indians, an Italian and three police officers were killed in the explosions.

Eyewitnesses said police at opposite ends of the street appeared to be shooting at each other in the chaos after the blasts.