A suicide attacker targeted a convoy of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul on Friday, killing at least one soldier and wounding several civilians, officials informed.

A police official said a French trooper died and six Afghan nationals were injured when the powerful explosion occurred in Afghanistan’s capital. A passenger bus was also affected by the blast, the same source said.

But the police report wasn't confirmed by the NATO-led international force, the ISAF saying it “does not release the casualty's nationality prior to the relevant national authority,” according to its policy.

Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, a statement posted on one of their websites saying that four French servicemen were killed and six others were wounded.

The “cowardly and heinous” attack was condemned by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a statement released Friday. Sarkozy sent his condolences to the aggrieved family of the soldier and the Kabul government and people.

The number of suicide attacks carried out by insurgents in Afghanistan has soared in the past period, while this latest incident occurred after the United Nations called for a ceasefire at least on the International Day of Peace, September 21.

A recent report released by the UN said 103 suicide attacks were reported only this year by the end of August, which is a dramatic increase compared to last year’s figures.

Meanwhile, a statement released by the US military on Friday informed that nearly 40 insurgents have been killed by Afghan and coalition forces in the volatile province of Helmand.

Intelligence reports said Taliban militants are hiding in a region of the Garmsir district in the southern province and a joint ISAF-Afghan force stormed the region early Friday.

About 40 militants were killed and an impressive amount of weapons and ammunition was seized during the operation, the statement said. Dozens of rocket propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices (IED) were also found and destroyed.

Aside from the casualties reported in the Taliban camp, no members of the security forces or civilians were injured during the offensive which reportedly caused damage to “buildings and the surrounding area.”