The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen condemned the attack, which targeted Afghan security forces in the Dawlat Abad district of Balkh province on Thursday. The attack left at least 7 soldiers dead. The Secretary General called for the cessation of violence and urged all Afghans to exercise maximum restraint and redouble their efforts towards peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported. He also conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government and people of Afghanistan and wished a speedy recovery for the wounded. A powerful suicide car bombing targeted an Afghan army compound in the countrys north on Thursday morning killing several Afghan soldiers, the defense ministry said. According to The Associated Press, the Taliban militant group quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. The defense ministry said in a statement that three Afghan soldiers were also wounded in the explosion and the ensuing “terrorist attack.” The provincial governors spokesman, Munir Farhad, said fighting inside the compound continued for hours before the attackers were repelled.