Mr. Zarghun, the Hezb-e-Islami spokesman, said the bomber was a woman in her early 20s.

WSJ: Kabul Attack Sparked by Video Kills 12

Bamiyan and the Buddhas remain firmly under the control of the forces of Hezb-i-Whadat.

BBC: A visit to the giant Buddhas

While the Taliban refuse to negotiate with Kabul, Hezb-e-Islami has long been engaged in talks with the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

WSJ: Deadly Blast Hits Afghan Capital

While most attacks in the Afghan war are carried out by the Taliban, the explosion on Thursday was claimed by Hezb-e-Islami, a smaller insurgent group led by warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

WSJ: Deadly Blast Hits Afghan Capital