KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — An Afghan official says a powerful suicide truck bombing outside a hospital in the capital of southern Zabul province has killed at least 20 and injured as many as 90 others.

The head of the Zabul provincial council, Atta Jan Haqbayan, says the powerful bomb exploded shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday.

The provincial governor's spokesman Gul Islam Seyal, meanwhile, put the death toll at 12.

The hospital in Qalat was badly damaged.

The Taliban who have been carrying out nearly daily attacks since peace talks with the United States collapsed earlier this month claimed responsibility saying a nearby government intelligence department building was the target.

Haqbayan said the wall of the National Security Department (NDS) building was damaged. He couldn't say whether any personnel were among the casualties.