Car bomb kills 18 in Afghanistan

At least 18 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in a suicide car bomb attack in eastern Afghanistan.

The target of the bomber was a group of guards providing security for US forces in Khost province, but most of the victims in the attack were civilians, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.

Taliban insurgents have increased their attacks against Afghan security forces since announcing their spring offensive last month.

The security forces were attacked near the province's main bus station, said Danish.

"Six other civilians including two small children were wounded in the attack," he said.

The attack, which took place on a road between a bus station and the provincial football stadium, damaged or destroyed about a dozen shops and several vehicles.

It came on the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.