Monday's bomb assault has highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the Afghan capital. In April, the Taliban launched a similar attack on a security complex in central Kabul, killing 64 people and injuring hundreds more.

In June, a Taliban bomb attack killed 14 Nepalese security contractors who worked for the Canadian embassy. And just over a week ago, Kabul witnessed its deadliest attack for 15 years. At least 80 people were killed when bombings tore through a protest staged by the Hazara minority. ISIL claimed responsibility. The group is making gradual inroads into Afghanistan.