Car bomb kills 12 in Afghan province

At least 12 people, including two suicide bombers, were killed and 30 others injured Tuesday morning when a suicide car bomb went off in Guzara district of western Afghan province of Herat, provincial police chief said.

Police chief Seyd Agha Saqib told Xinhua that the killed include six civilians, including a woman, and four policemen, he said, adding most of the injured were civilians.

"I do confirm a suicide car bomb was exploded in the entrance gate of Gurzara district office building at about 8:45 a.m. local time Tuesday," administrative chief of the district Nisar Ahmad Popul, who was in his office when the blast occurred, told Xinhua earlier Tuesday.

Dozens of people were lined up to enter the district headquarters and meet the officials when the blast occurred, he said.

The area was cordoned off by security forces shortly after the blast and the injured were shifted to provincial capital hospitals in Herat city, 640 km west of capital city of Kabul.

Guzara is located in southern part of the Herat city.

Popul said the bombers, one of them disguised as a woman, attempted to enter the compound but blew up the explosive-laden car shortly after the police intercepted them.

The death toll could rise, as many injured remain in critical conditions.

Officials blamed Taliban for the attack. However, Taliban militants who largely rely on roadside bombing and suicide attacks have yet to make comments.

Afghan and NATO military officials said recently that impressive Taliban-led attacks would occur in the coming weeks and months as spring and summer, known as "fighting season," are drawing near.

The NATO and U.S. forces recently handed over the full security responsibilities of Herat province to Afghan army and police except three restive districts of Shindand, Obe and Chisht Sharif.

Transition of security responsibilities from NATO forces to Afghan army and police began in July last year and lasts till 2014 when Afghanistan is due to take over the its full security duties from U.S. and NATO forces.