Emergency services rushed to the scene and took the wounded to hospital after the bomber, who was wearing a police uniform, blew himself up in the center of Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province.

"There was a suicide bombing in front of the provincial council building in the city of Pul-e-Khumri," Sadeq Muradi, Baghlan province's deputy police chief, told AFP.

"At least 11 people, including the head of the provincial council, Rasoul Mohseni, and three of his bodyguards are dead and five other people are wounded," he said.

Muradi said that the bomber, who was on foot, had targeted Mohseni.

He said that among the dead were people who had come to speak to Mohseni.

The provincial council which Mohseni led is an elected body that liaises between residents and the local government.

Khalil Musadeq, the head of the Pul-e-Khumri hospital, confirmed that 11 people, including Mohseni, were killed in the blast.

Baghlan is located in a relatively more peaceful area in north of Afghanistan but it sees regular attacks by Taliban insurgents.