'Civilians killed' as bomb explodes during memorial prayers for Taliban official's mum

At least two civilians died after a bomb exploded near a mosque in the Afghan capital of Kabul this afternoon, the Taliban claim.

The explosion happened near the entrance of the Eid Gah mosque, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter.

He wrote: "A bomb blast rocked a gathering of civilians near the entrance of the Eid Gah Mosque in Kabul this afternoon, leaving a number of civilians dead."

According to reports, the blast happened during a prayer service for Mujahid's mother, who died last week.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far but since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August, attacks by ISIS have increased.

A bomb exploded outside Eid Gah mosque in Kabul (AFP via Getty Images)

The details behind today's explosion were not immediately clear and Mujahid did not say exactly how many people had died or were injured.

Qari Sayed Khosti, a spokesman from the interior ministry, told AFP news agency: "Our initial information shows two civilians were killed and three wounded in the blast."

Al Jazeera reports that those killed in the attack were civilians outside the mosque gate.

Eid Gah is the second largest mosque in Kabul and is considered the cardinal religious mosque in Afghanistan.

A Taliban fighter stands guard as Afghan medical staff members wait to receive the victims of the explosion (AFP via Getty Images)

Abdullah, a nearby shopkeeper, told AFP: "I heard the sound of an explosion near the Eid Gah Mosque followed by gun firing."

He added that the Taliban blocked the road shortly before the blast struck.

Ambulances carrying wounded people were seen rushing towards Kabul's Emergency Hospital and journalists at the scene said some people arrived in blood-stained clothes.

Emergency NGO, an Italian-funded hospital, said on Twitter it was treating four patients.

In August, ISIS claimed responsibility for the Afghanistan airport blasts that killed at least 72 people.

At least 12 US Marines were among those killed by the blasts, it has been confirmed, and more than 140 people have been injured.

The city was hit by two explosions, one of which hit Kabul airport's Abbey Gate, while the other struck at the Baron Hotel nearby.

According to ISIS, the suicide bomber was responsible for the blast at Abbey Gate was Abdul Rehman Al-Loghri, of ISIS-K.

ISIS-K, is the regional section of ISIS operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan.