Suicide bomber kills 4 in attack at market in eastern Afghanistan

A suicide bomber blew himself up Monday at an outdoor market in the eastern Afghanistan province of Laghman, killing four people and injuring 12, a spokesman for the provincial governor said.

The blast occurred at about noon in the village of Alishang, northeast of the capital city of Kabul, said spokesman Faizan Patan.

The bomber detonated an explosive device at the market, which was next to a local hotel, Patan said.

Unlike previous suicide attacks in recent days, the attacker did not target military or government personnel, Patan said.

On Sunday, four suicide bombers wearing Afghan police uniforms stormed a traffic police station in eastern Afghanistan, prompting a lengthy gunfight that left at least 10 people - including three police officers - dead, authorities said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the station in Khost, which came days after the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan warned of a likely increase in attacks as insurgents demonstrate their ability to strike.

A suicide bomber on Saturday targeted a military hospital in Kabul, killing six people and wounding 26, said Zahir Azimi, a ministry of defense spokesman.

The Taliban also claimed responsibility for that attack, but disputed the number of casualties, saying 51 people died.