KABUL: Explosions and gun shots were heard near the presidential palace in a busy area of central Kabul on Monday, witnesses said.

Pedestrians in the area, a busy shopping and business precinct, ran after hearing an explosion followed by smaller blasts and gunfire, a local businessman told AFP.

"I heard the blast then we started running, but we happened to be running towards the explosions," said Bahram Sarwary.

"I saw smoke coming from a building near the central bank and the presidential palace and I saw at least one person injured," he said.