A suicide bomber hit Thursday, Nov 27, a UK embassy vehicle in the Afghan capital Kabul, with a British staff worker reported to be among five people killed, BBC News reports.

The other four who died and more than 30 people wounded were Afghans, officials say. Most of the victims are believed to have been bystanders.

The attack, carried out by a motorcycle bomber, was claimed by the Taliban.

Taliban insurgents have stepped up attacks as most foreign troops prepare to leave Afghanistan next month.

Thursday's blast was heard across eastern parts of the city in the morning. It comes three days after two U.S. soldiers were killed in a bomb attack on NATO forces, also in eastern Kabul.

President Ashraf Ghani, who came to power in September, has vowed to bring peace to the country after decades of conflict.

About 12,000 NATO soldiers are expected to remain to train and advise Afghan security forces from Jan 1.

A separate US-led force will assist Afghan troops in some operations against the Taliban. The security pacts with NATO and the U.S. are yet to be ratified by the Afghan upper house.