Suicide bomber kills at least eight in eastern Afghanistan

January 8, 2010 A suicide bomber blew himself up in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia earlier today, killing at least eight people and wounding more than 24 others. According to police, 28 more were wounded, some heavily.

A spokesman for the provincial governor said a security personnel supervisor was among those killed. The explosion occurred at 16.30 local time (12.00 GMT).

According to a reporter for the BBC, the target of the attack was the commander of a private security company working with US troops in the country. "This was a suicide attack," said Rohullah Samon, the spokesperson for the governor of the Paktia province.