KABUL — At least 11 people were killed in Afghanistan after a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden truck into a checkpoint late on Wednesday.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack in the southern province of Helmand.

The suicide bombing comes as Taliban and Afghan government negotiators are meeting in Qatar to try to find a way to put an end to 19 years of war in the country.

The bomber drove the truck into a post manned by pro-government militia members, the spokesman for the provincial governor was quoted as saying. According to the spokesman, seven soldiers and four civilians were killed, he said.

In another attack late on Wednesday, a suicide bomber was killed and six civilians were wounded in a blast in the southeastern province of Khost, police said. There was no claim of responsibility.

Violence has continued across the country despite the peace talks in Doha, which kicked off on Sept. 12, as the Taliban are refusing a nationwide cease-fire.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has documented more than 1,280 Afghan civilian deaths during the first half of 2020 — mainly as a result of fighting between Afghan government forces and Taliban militants.