The attack on Saturday was "an act of revenge" following insults made by former members of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party about the Prophet Mohammed, ISIS-Khorasan said on its Telegram channel, reports CNN.

The comment made by Nupur Sharma, who has now been removed from the party, triggered violence in several parts of India and even drew the ire of Islamic Nations.

ISIS-K said in its Telegram post that its suicide bomber Abu Muhammad al-Tajik had gained entry to the temple by throwing a hand grenade at the security guard officer at the entrance, killing him, reported CNN.

"Armed with a rifle, pistol and hand grenades, he proceeded to shoot," the worshippers inside the temple, ISIS-K said.

ISIS-K also claimed its members had clashed with Taliban government fighters trying to reach the temple, targeting them with a car bomb and four other explosive devices.

It said the clashes between ISIS-K and the Taliban fighters had lasted three hours and that the suicide bomber al-Tajik had died in these exchanges.

 Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, meanwhile, condemned the attack and tweeted: " The IEA strongly condemns the targeting of the Hindu shrine in Kabul by the enemies of the Afghan people. The IEA expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and assures that serious measures will be taken to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime."

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan condemned the incident and posted on Twitter: " UNAMA strongly condemns today's attack on a #Sikh temple in #Kabul, which is reported to have resulted in numerous casualties. Attacks on civilians must cease immediately. UNAMA calls for protection of all minorities in #Afghanistan, including Sikhs, Hazaras and Sufis."