Suicide attack in Afghan capital kills four civilians

KABUL: A suicide bomber blew himself up close to an intelligence director's vehicle in the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, killing four civilians and wounding another 12, the intelligence service said.

The Taliban-style bombing took place during rush hour in the city centre near many government and business buildings. Suicide attacks are uncommon in the heavily-guarded capital.

Police had cordoned off the area and firefighters were washing blood and pieces of flesh off the road. Parts of what appeared to be the attacker's body were wrapped in a plastic bag.

"In the attack four innocent civilians were martyred and another 12 civilians were wounded. The intelligence director survived the attack," said an intelligence service press statement.

The bomber targeted Kamaludin Khan Achikzay, an intelligence director who was driving to work. Achikzay and his guards escaped the attack unhurt, said the statement.

Kabul criminal investigation police Chief General Ali Shah Paktiawal, speaking from the scene of the attack, blamed the bombing on 'enemies of people.'

Afghan officials often use the phrase to refer to Taliban militants who were ousted from power in late 2001 by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and have since waged a bloody insurgency.