Six Americans killed in suicide bombing near Afghanistan base

The attack marks the deadliest day for American troops since June 2014

Bagram, 25 miles north of the Afghan capital, Kabul, is one of the main bases for the 9,800 US troops remaining in Afghanistan (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

A suicide bomber has killed six American soldiers and wounded three others at a joint US-Afghan patrol near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

A US official told NBC News that two other Americans and an interpreter were injured in the attack.

The bomber was riding a motorcycle and carried out the attack at 1:30pm in the Bajawri area of the Bagram district, Washeed Sediqi, a spokesperson for the governor of Parwan province, told CNN.

Taliban’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack on Twitter, claiming that 19 US soldiers were killed with many others wounded.

Bagram, 25 miles north of the Afghan capital, Kabul, is one of the main bases for the 9,800 US troops remaining in Afghanistan after international troops ended combat operations last year.

New York Police Detective Joseph Lemm was later identified as one of the soldiers killed on Monday.

NYPD Commissioner William Bratton identified the officer who is survived by his wife and children: “Tonight, we grieve and we remember this selfless public servant who dedicated his life to protecting others,” he told reporters during a press briefing late Monday.

US Army General Wilson A Shoffner issued a statement shortly after news of the attack let out.

"We're deeply saddened by this loss," he said. "Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of those affected in this tragic incident, especially during this holiday season."

The attack comes just over a week after suicide attacks on Kandahar air base in southern Afghanistan, which left 37 civilians and members of Afghan security force dead, and on a Spanish embassy guesthouse in Kabul, Reuters reports.

On Monday, Taliban forces in Helmand took control of the Sangin district after days of fighting, tightening their grip on the southern province.

Helmand deputy governor Mohammad Jan Rasulyar said only Afghan army buildings had not been overrun and fighting continued.

On Sunday, Mr Rasulyar warned President Ashraf Ghani over Facebook that Helmand was in danger of falling if central authorities failed to send help.