Taliban suicide attack kills three

Suicide bombers have killed three members of a Nato patrol in eastern Afghanistan.

A civilian was also killed in the attack for which the Taliban claimed responsibility.

The bombing in Kunar province, an eastern stronghold of the insurgency that lies along the volatile border with Pakistan where militants have hideouts, emphasised the insurgency’s continued ability to wreak violence despite fierce efforts by the Afghan government and international forces to wipe out their leadership.

Two attackers wearing suicide vests detonated their explosives as a Nato foot patrol passed by the headquarters of the provincial government.

Nato did not give any more details, including the nationalities of the troops who were killed.

A Taliban spokesman said that two insurgents drove explosives-laden vehicles into the Nato patrol from opposite directions. He claimed they killed 17 international soldiers. The insurgents typically claim far higher death tolls in their attacks.

The attack brought to 15 the number of international troops killed so far in August.