A rocket attack near the Kabul governor's residence has killed five people and injured five more.

The blast, which happened at 0820 (0350GMT) on Saturday, was heard throughout the Afghan capital.

A car parked near the house, contained five rockets, but only two detonated, firing up to 20 metres across the street and falling short of buildings.

The governor was unhurt. Initially officials had said the incident was a suicide car bomb attack.

One rocket was apparently fired by remote control, a press officer for the Ministry of Interior said.

The rockets had been smuggled into the city under a load of hay.

Earlier in December, the Taliban carried out two suicide bombings in Kabul, killing 13 people in one attack.

In September, 30 Afghan soldiers were killed when their bus was attacked in Kabul.

PHOTO CAPTION

Afghan police try to carry the rocket tubes after explosion in Kabul on Saturday 15 December 2007