A suicide bomber exploded his car outside a government department for martyrs and disabled persons Monday as gunmen entered the building where they were battling local police, Kabul police chief spokesman Basir Mujahid said.

Flames rise from a government building after an explosion and attack by gunmen, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2018. (Photo: AP)

Four people have been reported injured in the attack that occurred as workers were preparing to leave for the day, said Mujahid, adding that police were still battling the gunmen. More casualties seem likely, he said.

Police have cordoned off the area in the east of the capital Kabul to gain control of the situation. Mujahid offered little information about the incident saying police were still at the scene.

Several apartment buildings and as well as a government public works department building are located in the same area of the eastern Kabul neighborhood where the attack is underway. Eyewitnesses reported that a portion of the government building was in flames and several smaller explosions were heard amid the ongoing gunbattle.

No one claimed responsibility but both the Taliban and the local Islamic State affiliate have carried out brazen daytime attacks in the capital.