NEW DELHI — The Indian Embassy in Afghanistan’s capital came under attack Thursday for the second time in 15 months as a powerful bomb exploded along an exterior wall, killing 17 police officers and civilians, wounding 76 people and destroying vehicles and buildings.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide attack, which occurred in a heavy fortified area about 8:30 a.m.

This latest blast in Kabul underscored the point, analysts said, that militants can strike at will even in Afghanistan’s most secure areas. In India, the attack raised suspicions of Pakistani involvement and concerns across the region that it could disrupt attempts to improve relations between India and Pakistan.

Thursday’s blast was heard across the city as shock waves shattered windows and a large plume of brown smoke rose hundreds of feet in the air. The bomber drove a sport utility vehicle, said Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.

On a Taliban Web site, spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the blast was their handiwork, the Indian Embassy was the target and the bomber was from the Paghman district of Kabul province.

The second major assault on the capital in less than a month came as popular support for the eight-year war wanes in many foreign countries.

In September, the Italian government threatened to withdraw its troops after a suicide bomber attacked a military convoy along Kabul’s airport road, killing six Italian soldiers and 10 civilians.