Afghanistan police and officials investigate the site of a suicide attack in Kabul

BBC

At least 30 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a mosque in northern Afghanistan, officials say.

As many as 50 people were wounded in the attack at the front of the mosque in Maymana, capital of Faryab province, reports the BBC.

The provincial governor and police chief were among those attending the prayers to mark the Eid al-Adha holidays, but they reportedly escaped without serious injury.

Nearly half of those killed were police officers, officials said.

Deputy provincial governor, Abdul Satar Barez told the AFP news agency that the attacker himself was wearing a police uniform.

Attacks in northern Afghanistan are far less common than in the south and east, and Faryab province has been considered to be relatively peaceful.

However at least 10 people were killed in an incident in April 2012 when a suicide bomber on a motorbike targeted a meeting of officials near the main vegetable market in Maymana.