At least six people were killed and dozens, including 50 children, wounded Monday when the Taliban detonated a powerful car bomb in Kabul, officials said.

Previously, Afghanistan's local broadcaster network the Tolo television reported that up to 34 people have been confirmed dead. While the country's interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi revised down the number, saying at least six people were killed, including one child and two special forces. The health ministry put the wounded toll at 116 people. 

Among the wounded were 50 children, officials said, adding that most had been hurt by flying glass and were in stable condition.

The rush hour blast, which sent a plume of smoke into the air and shook buildings nearly two kilometers (1.2 miles) away, was followed by gunmen storming a building and triggering a gun battle with special forces in the Puli Mahmood Khan neighborhood of the Afghan capital. 

Some social media images purportedly taken at a hospital showed wounded, stunned children in school uniforms, still clutching books as they arrived for treatment.

In its statement, the education ministry said five schools had been partially damaged, and asked "all sides involved in fighting to guarantee the safety of students, teachers, education workers and schools."

The Taliban claimed the attack, which came just two days after the insurgents began a seventh round of talks with the U.S. in Qatar as Washington eyes a breakthrough before Afghanistan's September presidential election.

Militant spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the insurgents had targeted a defense ministry building in the area, which was quickly blocked off by Afghan forces and ambulances, with helicopter gunships seen overhead as gunfire continued. 

Authorities have not confirmed the target, but Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said the area had been cordoned off by special forces who were "bringing down" the attackers, with at least two killed.

"Security forces also rescued 210 civilians from buildings nearby," he said.