The attack comes as the U.N. has disclosed Afghan civilian deaths are again on the rise. Last year marked the first time in six years that killings of Afghan civilians declined. But on Tuesday, U.N. envoy Jan Kubis said the civilian toll has jumped 24 percent, with over 3,000 killed in the first half of 2013.

Jan Kubis: “I have to note with regret that, unfortunately, due to the increase of different operations, perhaps prompted also by the activities of the insurgency, as declared in their campaign, the situation of civilians in the country and conflict-related civilian casualties are indeed not going in the right direction. On the contrary, the situation has worsened.”

According to the U.N., militants were responsible for 74 percent of the fatal attacks. The Taliban has reportedly agreed to hold talks with the U.N. on the issue of civilian deaths.