Suicide attack kills 3, wounds 18 ANA soldiers

ISLAMABAD, Feb 8 (KUNA) -- At least three Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed and 18 others wounded on Monday when a suicide bomber struck a security forces vehicle in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province, said officials.
Deputy police chief, Col. Abdul Raziq Qadari told media that the attacker detonated his suicide vest near the minibus of the Shaheen Military Corps in the Nawababad area of Mazar-i-Sahrif city, the provincial capital.
He confirmed that three ANA soldiers lost their lives and 18 others sustained injuries.
Spokesman for provincial governor, Munir Ahmad said that all the victims are ANA personnel and they were taken to the local military hospital.
He expressed fear that the death toll might rise as many wounded soldiers are in critical condition.
According to local media, spokesman for Taliban rebels claimed responsibility for the attack saying that heavy casualties had been inflicted on the security personnel.
The suicide attack came days after the third meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) of Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States and China in Islamabad that concluded with a call for direct negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. (end) sbk.tg