KABUL, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A massive explosion rocked near Sidarat Square in central Kabul on Saturday, causing casualties and destruction, witnesses said.

The blast occurred roughly at 12:50 p.m. local time (0820 GMT) in front of Jamhoriat Hospital, where several government offices are located, eyewitness Mohammad Mustafa told Xinhua.

"We heard a huge blast in the area which is a few meters away from Sidarat Square. The whole place has now been sealed off," he said.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The capital city with a population of nearly 5 million has been hit by series of terror attacks in the past years.

On Jan. 20, more than 20 people, including 14 foreigners, were killed and a dozen of others injured after Taliban attacked a luxury hotel in Kabul.?