Gunmen storm Afghanistan government building in west Kabul

Shooting and explosions have been heard near the Ministry of Public Works

In this Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, photo, Afghan National Army soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Taliban welcomed the news of the U.S. plan to withdraw half its troops in Afghanistan by the summer, while Afghan generals warned Friday Dec. 21, 2018, it would be a blow to the morale of the country's beleaguered security forces, who come under daily attacks from the insurgent fighters. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
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Gunmen and men armed with suicide vests and explosives have attacked a government building in Kabul, local media report.

A car bomb exploded outside the Public Works Ministry in Kabul, which was followed by gunfire, the Interior Ministry said.

Gunmen on the second floor of a building exchanged fire against Afghan security forces, Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesman for the interior ministry said.

The two attackers have now been killed and at least five people have been killed in the clashes, Tolo News said.

At least two people were wounded in the clashes, said Wahid Majroh, a spokesman for the ministry of public works told Reuters. Another official said employees had locked themselves in their offices after hearing the explosion and gunfire.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but both the Taliban and ISIS operate in the area.

Attacks on government buildings are frequent and are generally carried out by the Taliban.

The 17-year war between the Taliban and the Afghanistan government has seen a flurry of activity in recent months with both fighting and diplomacy reaching a high point.

Earlier in December, the Taliban held peace talks with the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Abu Dhabi were they discussed confidence-building measures.