Afghan Taliban claim car bomb attack

The toll from a car bomb that has exploded in Afghanistan may rise, with 12 already dead and many others injured.

The Afghan Taliban has killed at least 12 security force members in a car bomb attack on a military base in the country's central province of Maidan Wardak, officials say.

Two gunmen who tried to enter the compound were shot dead, Mohebullah Sharifzai, a spokesman for the Maidan Wardak provincial governor, said.

"A (second) car, packed with explosives, was also discovered and defused," he added.

Mohammad Salem Asgharkhil, the province's health director, said 28 wounded members of the security forces had been taken to hospital.

"Looking at the damage, the number of casualties may rise and our health team is still searching for victims," he said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

The insurgents have increased attacks in recent months in their effort to overthrow the Western-backed government and restore their version of hardline Islamic law.