A suicide bomber has killed at least five people and injured several others outside the Afghan Foreign Ministry in the capital Kabul.

The attack took place around 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

The police say a man approached the gate of the Taliban-run ministry and detonated explosives he was wearing.

The ministry is located in the center of the capital near embassies and other government buildings. The Taliban heavily patrol the district.

The Amaq news agency, which is linked to the Islamic State militant group, has reported that an Islamic State fighter carried out the attack after evading guards on patrol.

A series of terror attacks targeting foreigners and the Taliban in Kabul has been reported in recent weeks.

A hotel popular with Chinese and other foreign nationals was attacked by gunmen in December. Earlier this month, an explosion occurred outside an airport used by the Taliban.