Car bomb goes off near Afghan base; Taliban claim responsibility

A truck packed with explosives has gone off near a military base in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least five civilians in an attack claimed by the Taliban militant group.

Afghanistan's Defense Ministry said a bomber detonated the explosive-laden truck before reaching the army base in the eastern city of Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, on Thursday.

Local officials confirmed that the powerful blast killed at least five civilians and wounded 19, including five army personnel.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, in a statement, claimed that "tens of soldiers were killed and wounded" and denied reports of civilian casualties.

"After the announcement of the offensive... an attack was carried out against an important military headquarters of the Kabul administration," Mujahid said.

The explosion comes two days after at least 56 people, including women and newborn babies, were killed in attacks elsewhere in the country.

On Tuesday, three heavily-armed militants attacked a maternity hospital in the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least 24 people, including two newborn babies and their mothers.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban said they had nothing to do with it.

In a separate attack on the same day, a terrorist detonated an explosive vest at a funeral ceremony in the eastern Nangarhar province, killing at least 24 people and injuring 68 others. The Daesh terrorist group took responsibility for the bombing.

The attacks have triggered international outrage and condemnation.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he had ordered the military to switch to the offensive mode rather than the defensive stance it had adopted as the United States tries to broker peace talks with the Taliban.

Official data shows Taliban bombings and other assaults have increased 70 percent since the militant group inked a peace deal with the United States in February.

SS