A roadside bomb blast on Sunday killed at least 18 civilians, mostly women, as they were heading to a wedding party in central Afghanistan, provincial officials said.

"A roadside bomb planted by the enemies of Afghanistan in Andar district of Ghazni province hit a civilian vehicle around 4:30pm," Mosa Khan Akbarzada, Ghazni provincial governor, told AFP.

"Unfortunately, we have 14 women, three men, and a child onboard martyred in this tragic incident," Akbarzada said.

Deputy provincial police chief Asadullah Insafi confirmed the attack and gave a similar account. He also said five women had been taken to hospital.

Roadside bombs have in the past been planted by Taliban militants to target Afghan security forces and NATO-led US troops.

Often they miss the targets, and civilians pay the price.

There was no immediate comment from the Taliban Sunday.

Ghazni is a volatile province in central Afghanistan.