Afghan ‘boy’ bomber blasts market

The attacks came a day after the Taliban announced the start of a new offensive

A suicide bomber said to be aged 12 has killed four people in east Afghanistan, one of several attacks a day after the Taliban announced a spring offensive.

A dozen people were injured as the suicide bomber struck a crowded market in Paktika province, killing a local official, a woman and two other men.

In Ghazni City, a gunman opened fire at a police checkpoint, killing two police officers and two civilians.

A bicycle bomb near the city’s police station wounded 13 civilians.

The suicide bomber involved in the attack in Paktika was a 12-year-old boy, said a statement from the governor’s office.

This is not yet the wave of attacks against high-profile targets that some expected, says the BBC’s Paul Wood in Kabul.

On Saturday the Taliban declared a new campaign to attack foreign troops, Afghan security forces and government officials.

International organisations, including the UN, have warned their staff not to go out unless it is absolutely necessary.

In Kandahar, in the south, and in other cities across the country, thousands of extra soldiers and police have been deployed.

A gradual withdrawal of foreign combat troops is set to begin in July as part of a handover to Afghan security forces.

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