Afghan officials say the country's intelligence chief has been wounded in an assassination attempt in Kabul.

The National Security Directorate said Asadullah Khalid survived what it called a “terrorist attack” Thursday when he wounded in an explosion at a guest house in the capital. He was rushed to a hospital after the blast.

Khalid reportedly suffered injuries to the lower part of his body. President Hamid Karzai visited him in the hospital and said he may be sent abroad for treatment.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Khalid, who is close to the Karzai family, took over the intelligence agency in September after the president reshuffled his Cabinet. Since taking over, Khalid has led an aggressive campaign against the Taliban.

Prior to becoming intelligence chief, Khalid served as Afghanistan's minister of tribal and border affairs and as a provincial governor. Human rights groups have accused Khalid of involvement in acts of torture and other abuses while he was governor of Kandahar province. He has denied any wrongdoing.