Taliban target NATO convoy, two Afghan civilians killed

KABUL: A Taliban suicide bomber slammed into a NATO convoy near the Afghan capital, killing two civilians and injuring five Czech troops, Afghan officials and the Czech military said Thursday.

The attack, which took place late Wednesday in the district of Bagram in Parwan province, also wounded three Afghan civilians, said Wahida Shakar, spokeswoman for the provincial governor.

Bagram is about 40 kilometers (24 miles) from Kabul and is also the home of a sprawling US military base.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Of the five Czech soldiers, one was seriously injured when their vehicle overturned following the explosion.

The soldier underwent surgery and the Czech military said he was not in life-threatening condition.

Earlier, NATO spokeswoman Sgt 1st Class Debra Richardson had said three alliance service members were hurt in the bombing but didn't provide more details.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said an insurgent suicide bomber rammed his car into the NATO convoy.

The attack on the NATO convoy came at the end of a particularly violent day across Afghanistan as tensions are rising ahead of the country's parliamentary elections on Saturday.

A Taliban bombing in southern Helmand province killed a candidate running in the elections.