A powerful bomb explosion has led to the death of over 20 people in Afghanistan’s northern Kunduz Province.

The deadly incident occurred in the Khanabad district, located in the eastern part of the restive province, where an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into a local militia gathering on Saturday evening, Afghanistan's Khaama news agency reported.

Provincial police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hussaini confirmed the blast, saying at least 22 personnel of the local police forces were slain.

According to district administrative chief Hayatullah Amiri, four militia commanders were also among the victims.

The Taliban terrorist group later claimed responsibility for the attack, media reports said.

Taliban  elements carried out a series of bombings in and around the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday, which  left more than 50 people dead and hundreds of others wounded.

Anti-government armed militant groups are actively operating in volatile Kunduz, where they are engaged in terrorist activities.

The militancy-riddled country faces a security challenge nearly 14 years after the United States and its allies invaded it in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror.