Death toll rises after Taliban attack in Kabul

(CNN)The death toll from an explosion in the Afghan capital rose to 64 people Wednesday, authorities said, a day after militants targeted civilians in Kabul.

The blast rocked Kabul on Tuesday morning -- the apparent work of Taliban militants targeting a security team that protects government VIPs, a police official said.

In addition to the deaths, more than 300 people were wounded, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said

Despite the target, most of the victims were civilians -- including women and children, according to Sediqi.

A suicide bomber detonated a vehicle filled with explosives in a private parking lot behind the compound, destroying the back wall of a building, according to Sediqi.

A second attacker then entered the building. That attacker died in a gun battle with security forces less than two hours later, Sediqi said.

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The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

"First, a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden lorry on the gate of the department and then other armed attackers went in and started shooting on the rest of the enemies," the statement said.

Witnesses said they continued to hear gunfire after the explosion, which occurred in a busy part of Kabul near the Afghan Defense Ministry and presidential palace.

Afghan journalist Esmatullah Kohsar tweeted photos of what he said were windows at his office shattered by the blast. He said he could hear gunfire following the explosion.