A Taliban suicide car bomb has hit the Indian Embassy in Kabul, killing 41 people and wounding 141.

The Afghan authorities said the attack was coordinated with foreign agents in the region, a likely reference to Pakistan.

Afghanistan has accused Pakistani agents of being behind a number of attacks in recent weeks and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in June threatened to send troops across the border to attack militants there if Pakistan does not take action.

The bomber rammed his car into the embassy just as two diplomatic vehicles were entering the compound.

India's military attache was killed, the Indian Defence Ministry said.

Two vehicles were destroyed, the embassy gates blown off and buildings inside the compound were badly damaged by the force of the blast, an Indian diplomat said.

"The Interior Ministry believes this attack was carried out in coordination and consultation with an active intelligence service in the region," the Afghan Interior Ministry said.

A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Islamist militia have vowed to step up their campaign of suicide bombings this year, demonstrating that despite the increase in foreign troops in Afghanistan and more trained Afghan forces on patrol, the militants are far from defeated.

The Health Ministry said 28 people were killed and 141 wounded, but a senior police official said the death toll was 41.

"More than ten people are in a very critical condition. At least one woman and one baby were killed. At least three babies were wounded," said Health Ministry spokesman Abdullah Fahim.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.