At least 12 people close to Mahbubullah Ghafari, a former member of the provincial council of Baghlan, were killed in a roadside mine blast in the province on Wednesday morning, Ghafari confirmed.

The incident happened in the Chashmaye Shir area, on the Baghlan -Samangan highway, while Ghafari and his convoy were on the way to Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, Ghafari said, adding that “a vehicle was hit by a roadside mine.”

Ghafari's bodyguard and relatives were among the dead, according to officials.

So far no group including the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Local security officials also said that the Taliban attacked security forces on the outskirts of Baghlan city, and two security force members were killed.