The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force confirmed that three of its service members were killed when the suicide bomb went off near its convoy, but did not provide further details.

"Eight civilians, one of them a woman, passing the area in a minivan were injured," police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzay told dpa.

A witness said some of the minivan passengers were killed.

The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying "12 foreign troops were killed and four vehicles damaged."

The attack came as President Hamid Karzai deliberates over an agreement allowing U.S. forces to stay in the country beyond 2014.

Many Afghans, including a gathering of 3,000 tribal leaders and other prominent people, have urged Karzai to sign the U.S. pact quickly as they worry about security after 2014 when most foreign forces are leaving.

Karzai says he does not want to sign until after a presidential election scheduled for April next year and unless the United States fulfills a number of his demands.

NJF/NJF