By Xinhua
Kabul : A suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden car hit a mini bus of the Afghan Army here Wednesday morning, killing at least six soldiers and six civilians, a military spokesman said.
Spokesman Tahir Azimi said the explosion took place at around 6.50 a.m.
However, a local radio, Noorin, quoted government officials as saying that eight troopers in the bus and 12 civilians, including some shopkeepers, were killed.
Taliban purported spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed told Xinhua via phone from an unknown location that his outfit was responsible and that a man from Khost province carried out the attack. He put the death toll at 40.
The Afghan capital has witnessed several attacks in the past two months. A suicide bombing against NATO troops near Kabul airport Tuesday wounded 22 civilians.
More than 6,000 people have been killed in roadside bombings, suicide blasts and militancy-related violence in the past 11 months in the war torn country.