MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan (AFP) - A suicide bomber struck outside government buildings in northern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least 11 people including a senior local politician, police said.

"There was a suicide bombing in front of the provincial council building in the city of Pul-e-Khumri," Mr Sadeq Muradi, Baghlan province's deputy police chief, told AFP.

"At least 11 people, including the head of the provincial council, Rasoul Mohseni, and some of his bodyguards are dead and five other people are wounded."