Suicide bomber strikes Afghan ministry

A suicide bomber wearing the Afghan security-forces uniform has detonated himself at the gate of the Interior Ministry in central Kabul, killing at least four police officers.

The Ministry of Information confirmed the deaths from Wednesday's attack and said that the bomber blew himself up near the administration buildings.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes just days before the country goes to the polls.

The Afghan capital is on high alert ahead of an April 5 presidential election, which Taliban insurgents have vowed to disrupt.

The bombing also comes just days after four gunmen in Kabul attacked the offices of San Rafael-based charity Roots of Peace. The men set off a suicide car bomb and opened fire with assault rifles, killing an Afghan child who happened to be nearby.

After a three-hour standoff, the attacks ended with all four gunmen being killed.

That incident occurred in an upscale neighborhood that is home to some of the candidates in the upcoming elections. It didn't appear that they were the targets, although the Taliban have stepped up their attacks to coincide with the national vote.

"Attacks will continue and we will keep on killing foreigners," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said following the guesthouse attack.

Al Jazeera and the Associated Press