The Taliban launched a wave of attacks in Afghanistan's eastern province of Ghazni, killing at least 14 police officers, as a minibus packed with explosives blew up in the southern city of Kandahar.
Ghazni Provincial council member Hassan Reza Yusoufi said seven of the officers were killed in the district of Dih Yak, including Faizullah Toofan, the police chief, and reserve commander Haji Baraket. Another seven were killed in Jaghatu district.
The attacks started on Monday night and continued on Tuesday in Dih Yak, Jaghatu, Ajristan and Qarabagh districts, according to Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor.
Noori said at least 12 other members of the security forces were wounded in the attacks in Dih Yak and Jaghatu districts.
The Kandahar blast, near one of the city's main markets, sent a huge cloud of dust and smoke into the air. At least 16 people were killed and 38 wounded, officials said.
A statement from the NDS intelligence service said the minibus, packed with explosives, was discovered in a large open yard of mechanics workshops but blew up before it could be defused.
Hundreds of people have been killed or wounded in high-profile bomb attacks since the beginning of the year, many in the capital Kabul, but provincial cities have also been hit as the Taliban have stepped up fighting across the country.
