Kabul: At least 30 people were killed and at least 27 others injured in an explosion at a mosque during evening prayers in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Wednesday, according to eyewitnesses and police.

The latest attack on the nation in the year since the Taliban seized power, there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Some children are also among the injured.

Since the takeover by former rebels last August, when US and NATO troops near the end of their withdrawal from the country, Islamic State's local ally has stepped up its attacks against the Taliban and civilians.

A key Taliban cleric was murdered last week at his place of worship in Kabul, according to an ISIS claim of responsibility.

According to eyewitnesses living in the Kher Khanna neighborhood of the city, the blast at the Siddiqiya mosque was carried out by a suicide bomber.

Eyewitnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity, identified the deceased cleric as Mullah Amir Mohammad Kabuli as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

More than 30 additional people were injured, he continued. According to reports, at least 27 injured civilians, including five children, were taken to the Italian emergency hospital in Kabul.

It was feared that the death toll could rise. The explosion inside a mosque in northern Kabul was confirmed by Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed spokesman for the Kabul police chief, but declined to give details about the death toll or the wounded.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also condemned the blast, who also promised that "the perpetrators of such crimes will soon be brought to justice and punished."

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the US-led invasion overthrew the previous Taliban government, which had Osama bin Laden's base in Afghanistan.

Since gaining control, the Taliban government has been denied international recognition, resulting in a serious economic crisis for the country.

Separately, the Taliban confirmed on Wednesday that they had killed the Mehdi Mujahid while attempting to cross the border into Iran in western Herat province.

Mujahid was a former Taliban commander in the Balkhab district of northern Sar-e-Pul province and the only Hazara Shia member of the Taliban.

After disagreeing with decisions made by Taliban leaders in Kabul during the previous year, the Mujahid had turned against the Taliban.

India can make a significant contribution to stabilise Afghan, says Russia

US Govt halts talks with Taliban on freeing Afghan assets

Former president of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani justifies leaving as the Taliban advanced on Kabul