REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KABUL -- A huge explosion rocked the Afghan parliament in Kabul on Monday, triggering chaos in the smoke-filled building as lawmakers ran for cover, live television footage showed.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which occurred as the Afghan president's nominee for the crucial post of defence minister was to be introduced in parliament.

"Several mujahideen have entered the parliament building, heavy fighting is on going," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted on Twitter.

"The attack happened at a time when the defence minister was being introduced," he added.