Several people were either killed or injured after a car bomb explosion and ensuing gunshots occurred outside provincial police station in Afghanistan's northern province of Baghlan on Sunday, a witness said.

Photo: Internet

"We heard a huge blast outside Baghlan Police Station roughly at 12:45 p.m. local time. Gunshots were also heard as suspected armed militants tried to enter the facility," witness Mohammad Jafar told Xinhua.

Government troops cordoned off the area shortly after the blast, keeping people from gathering at the scene.

A thick gray smoke was seen rise above the site.

The blast is the latest in a string of bombings that have targeted dozens of military and security compounds across the country.

Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the attack shortly after the incident.