A suicide bomber killed six people and wounded four others near the headquarters of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said.

The six killed were civilians, said Interior Ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqi.

The explosion took place in Kabul's diplomatic quarters, home to a number of foreign embassies.

Among those killed in the explosion were children, Police Chief Ayoub Salangi said.

There were no NATO casualties in the explosion near Camp Eggers, said Jamie Graybeal, a spokesman for the international forces. He said the base is secure.

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.

"By targeting civilians, the insurgents have once again demonstrated that they have no respect for life, including young children, some of whom were playing in the area of the attack," the U.S. Embassy in Kabul said in a statement condemning the attack. "In addition, if reports that the suspected attacker was a teenager are true, the insurgents reveal their true nature, using the most impressionable and vulnerable to carry out their vile attacks."

Police believe the assailant was between ages 13 and 20.