"The death toll is 52 and 105 wounded. Most of the killed and injured are the children and civilians who had come to welcome the delegation. We have launched an investigation to find more details about the attack. Some evidence shows that some wounded and killed people were shot at by armed men. Now, the neighbouring provinces have sent doctors and ambulances for the treatment. It is a tragic event. The government has announced three days of mourning, "said Ghulam Mujtaba Patang, the regional commander of the north zone.

Mohammad Alam Ishaqzai, the governor of Baghlan confirmed that the number of the death had risen to 52 people and that approximately 100 had also been wounded in the attack. "An investigation is underway. The attack will not change the system in the country, but it will only shock the people. We are committed to ensuring security. The coalition forces are with us and we are all working together to discover the details of the big attack."

When asked if he would accuse any particular party at this point in time, Ishaqzai said: "Whoever has carried out this attack is cowardly. The attack is inhuman. They targeted children and civilians."

Meanwhile, some people have claimed that some of the dead and wounded appear to have suffered bullet wounds.

Mohammad Nadir Ashfaq, a shopkeeper said: "One of our neighbours was killed. We observed a bullet shot at his leg. It means he was shot at."

The regional security commander of the northern zone said an investigation into the matter was underway.

Meanwhile, Dr Mirwais Rabai, the head of a public health hospital in Balkh said: "We have sent seven ambulances and some doctors to Baghlan Province to give a hand in treating the wounded patients. We have also asked them to send some of their patients to the Balkh hospital."

The residents dread another attack. Mohammad Shokor, aged 43, said: "I have been living in this province for at least 30 years. I have never observed such a dreadful attack. I have lost one of my friends in this attack. We do not know what our life will look like in the future. If they did this, it might happen again."

The German-led ISAF commander also denounced the attack: "On behalf of all ISAF soldiers in northern Afghanistan, General Dieter Warnecke, Commander ISAF Regional Command North, offered his condolences to the families whose relatives were killed during a suicide attack in Baghlan on Tuesday. "The cowardly suicide attack arouses deep consternation among the ISAF soldiers", said Warnecke.

General Warnecke also offered immediate aid to wounded persons: "Our medical treatment facilities in Mazar-e-Sharif are prepared to help and support".

"Our mission in Afghanistan also includes immediate aid in a catastrophe. The Afghan population knows it can rely on us", added the General. In addition, Warnecke offered the Afghan authorities support to investigate the suicide attack.

The suicide attack was conducted 15 kilometers north of Pol-e-Khomri where a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) under Hungarian command is located. The PRT has been supporting reconstruction efforts all over Baghlan province.