18 dead in Afghan suicide bombings

Kabul, April 10 (IANS) At least 18 people were killed and 45 others injured in two separate Taliban attacks in Afghanistan Tuesday, media reports said.

In Herat province, 14 people including police and civilians were killed, and 40 were injured when a Toyota pick-up with two people inside was blown up near the police and government headquarters in Guzara, as people gathered outside the building to see government officials, Al Jazeera reported.

The vehicle had passed a security checkpoint on the road between Herat International Airport and the Guzara district, and had ignored two orders to stop, RIA Novosti cited police as saying.

In the second attack in Helmand, four police officers were killed and five civilians were injured, when three suicide bombers attacked the police headquarters in Musa Qala, Al Jazeera said.

Two bombers blew themselves up inside the building, while a third bomber was shot dead before his vest could be detonated.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for both the attacks.