Afghan men carry the dead body of a civilian at the site of a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, September 3, 2019. (Photo: Reurers)

When the Monday bombing occurred, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in the Afghan capital to discuss the proposed deal, which would see the US withdraw troops in return for Taliban security guarantees.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Nasrat Rahimi said the blast was caused by a tractor packed with explosives that had been parked alongside a wall by Green Village, a large compound that houses aid agencies and international organizations. In addition to the 16 killed, 119 were wounded in the attack, Rahimi said, noting a search-and-rescue operation had lasted through the night.

In claiming responsibility, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujadid said that an attack involving a suicide bomber and gunmen was underway.