Three German soldiers and four civilians were killed in a suicide bombing today in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz, Afghan security officials said.
The soldiers had been patrolling the city of Kunduz, said General Nur Mohammad, chief of the Kunduz security department. Four civilians died in the blast and 14 people, including two German soldiers, were wounded, another official said.
The German soldiers were patrolling on foot and in a vehicle when the suicide bomber struck. "Suddenly we heard a big sound. We were frightened," said Aziz, a shopkeeper.
"We saw very thick smoke and people rushing to escape." A security official blamed the attack on Taliban militants, now stepping up attacks following the traditional winter lull.
On Thursday, roadside explosions killed 11 Afghan police officers and Afghanistan's information minister was wounded in a suicide bombing blamed on the Taliban.
The attacks followed the death of the insurgents' top operational commander, Mullah Dadullah, in a US-led coalition raid last weekend. His death was considered the biggest blow to the Taliban since they were driven from power in 2001.