Suicide bomber kills policeman, injures three in Kabul

A suicide bomber has detonated his vehicle as it was being followed by police on the outskirts of the Afghan capital Kabul, killing a police officer and wounding three others, according to police officials.

Police forces were following the attacker’s vehicle on Thursday morning, as they suspected he was trying to enter the city, Hashmat Stanekzai, the spokesman for the Kabul provincial police chief, said.

“A suicide bomber was trying to enter Kabul with the intention of detonating explosives in a crowded part of the city,” Stanekzai said, adding that he blew up the explosives prematurely.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the incident.

The fighters have stepped up attacks in the recent months, concentrating on government, military and foreign targets in major cities.

On December 31, the US-led NATO combat mission in Afghanistan will end after 13 years of fighting the Taliban.

It will be replaced by a 12,500-strong support mission to advise and assist the Afghan security forces.