18 other military personnel were wounded in the attack.

An official says at least three Afghan soldiers have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on an army minibus near their base in northern Balkh province.

Munir Ahmad Farhad, spokesman for the provincial governor in Balkh, says the suicide bomber was on foot and targeted the army vehicle Monday morning in Dahdadi district.

He says 18 other military personnel were wounded in the attack.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in an email sent to media.

Taliban insurgents have increased their attacks recently across the country against Afghan security forces.

Related articles across the web

• Taliban suicide bomber attacks journalists in Kabul, killing seven people
• Pakistan to Host New Afghan Peace Talks Saturday
• Afghan peace talks continue in Pakistan
• Taliban insider attack kills 10 Afghan police
• 8 wounded in vehicle blast in Afghanistan
• Rights Groups Condemn Child Combatants in Afghanistan
• Efforts to revive Afghan peace talks continue in Pakistan
• Iran, India and Russia should take part in settlement of crisis in Afghanistan - Karzai
• At least 15 dead in blast at Pakistan polio centre
• Q&A: Afghanistan's Tajiks plea for federalism