At least six Afghan security forces were killed and 10 wounded in a suicide car bombing claimed by the Taliban in the restive northern Baghlan province.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that officials confirmed this on Thursday.

Abbas Tawkali, a spokesman for the Afghan National Army, said the suicide car bombing was followed by a gunfight on the outskirts of the provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri. “The suicide bomber was spotted before he could reach the target and was fired upon by the security forces, compelling the attacker to blow up explosives,” he added.

The Taliban, on the other hand, claimed to have inflicted “heavy losses” on the army.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed tweeted that up to 50 security forces were “killed and wounded” in this assault.