A suicide bombing killed three German soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force ( ISAF) and six Afghan civilians on Saturday in Kunduz province of northern Afghanistan, provincial governor Mohammad Omar told Xinhua.

The bombing occurred in a tea market in Kunduz city, the provincial capital, at around 10:15 a.m. (0545 GMT), Omar said.

Two other German soldiers, one Afghan interpreter working for them and 13 civilians were injured, he added.

An ISAF spokeswoman confirmed a suicide bombing caused some ISAF casualties in the city, but failed to give more information.

No one has claimed responsibility, but Taliban militants have carried out similar attacks frequently.

A suicide bombing killed nine Afghan policemen and injured scores of others in Kunduz city on April 16.

About 3000 German soldiers are being deployed in Afghanistan, mostly in the relatively peaceful northern region, operating as part of ISAF.

Meanwhile, Afghan officials said on Saturday that Afghan and the U.S.-led coalition forces killed nearly 90 militants in two clashes on Friday.

The forces killed 67 Taliban militants in Chamkani district of the eastern Paktia province, a senior Afghan commander Murad Ali Murad told Xinhua, adding 64 assault rifles were captured.

Moreover, the forces killed about 20 anti-government militants in Al Asay Valley of the central Kapisa province, provincial governor Sattar Murad said.

Although top Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah was killed by Afghan and foreign troops on May 12, the Taliban movement apparently has not lost its momentum as more Taliban attacks and clashes occurred in this country over the past few days.

Elusive top Taliban leader Mullah Omar vowed to take revenge for Dadullah by launching more ruthless attacks against government and foreign targets.

Due to rising Taliban-linked insurgency, over 1,500 persons, mostly Taliban militants, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.

Source: Xinhua