Afghanistan's Interior Ministry says at least 19 people were killed on Sunday when militants attacked the compound of the governor of central Parwan province.

At least 37 others were also wounded.

Officials say a group of six gunmen and suicide bombers stormed the compound of Parwan Governor Abdul Basir Salangi after militants detonated a suicide car bomb at the entrance.

The attack occurred as a security meeting involving the governor, the local police chief and at least two NATO advisors was underway.

The Interior Ministry says most of the dead were civilian government employees and five were policemen.

Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Parwan is about 50 kilometers north of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.

In other violence, the office of the French President says one of its soldiers was shot and killed by an insurgent Sunday in northeastern Kapisa province. A statement says the French soldier was conducting support operations in the area for the Afghan army.