A car exploded in a southern Afghan town on Wednesday, killing its three occupants and a passer-by, in what appeared to be a bungled suicide attack, a provincial official said. Security has been stepped up across Afghanistan in the run-up to September 18 elections that have been denounced by Taleban insurgents, who have been battling US and government forces since their ouster in 2001.
The car was passing a policeman's house in the town of Girishk when it exploded but that was not believed to have been the target, said Mohammed Wali Alizai, spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor.
The Taleban claimed responsibility. Abdul Latif Hakimi, a spokesman for the militants, said a Taleban suicide bomber set off the blast and eight Americans had been killed.