Story highlights

Eight officers from the Afghan air force are among those killed in the bombing

The Taliban claims responsibility for the attack

Kabul, Afghanistan CNN  — 

A Taliban suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying Afghan military personnel in Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 16 people and wounding 26 others, authorities said.

The dead included eight officers from the Afghan air force, three Defense Ministry workers and five other civilians, Defense Ministry and public health officials said.

Thirteen military officers were among the wounded, the rest were civilians, the officials said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the group claims responsibility for the attack.

Deadly attacks by militants, often aimed at government and military targets, periodically hit the Afghan capital.

Traffic accident kills 17 in Afghanistan; others die in roadside bombings

Opinion: Afghanistan, the next Iraq?

Journalist Qadir Sediqi reported from Kabul, and CNN’s Jethro Mullen wrote from Hong Kong. CNN’s Masoud Popalzai contributed to this report.