Kabul, March 8 (IANS): At least six people were killed and five others wounded when two gunmen attacked a mosque here in the Afghan capital on Saturday, police said.

"Two men armed with handguns opened fire on worshipers in Bahadur Aaq monastery, a local mosque in western Kabul. As a result six people were killed and five others wounded," a police source told Xinhua.

The attackers fled the scene shortly after the firing which occurred around 6 p.m., according to the source.

The security forces have launched a massive manhunt in the area to nab the culprits, said the police officer, adding the victims were offering evening prayers when the firing occurred.

An investigation was launched into the incident. The motive behind the attack remained unknown.

About 10,000 civilians were killed and injured in the central Asian country in 2014, according to UN mission officials.

Authorities blamed the attacks of Taliban insurgents and other armed groups for vast majority of the civilian deaths and injuries.