KABUL, Dec. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- A powerful explosion that rocked Taliban's former stronghold Kandahar Wednesday morning injured three, an intelligence official said.

    "The explosion took place at 8:30 a.m. in the former residential area of the Army Corps officers, injuring three," Abdullah Laghmani, Kandahar's intelligence chief told Xinhua.

    However, he declined to confirm the victims' identities.

    The incident occurred just two days after the arrests of three prominent Taliban leaders, including Mullah Naqibullah, former security chief of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.

    The US-led coalition launched a major winter offensive operation across the country after the Afghan president's inauguration, wiht an aim to set back the usually active militancy in the spring in the mountainous areas. Enditem