A suicide blast killed 18 police and civilians on Thursday in Afghanistan's western province of Farah, officials said.

The incident occurred in a bazaar near a police station in Del Aram district of Farah, they said, adding 15 more were wounded.

"So far, 18 people, including police and civilians, have been killed," Farah's governor Rohul Amin told Reuters by phone.

Citing officials near the site, Amin said the bomber was wearing an all-enveloping burqa robe that Afghan women commonly wear.

"I know that 18 people have been killed, but do not know whether the bomber was a man or woman or was wearing burqa or not," said Juman Khan, a police officer from Del Aram.

He said two police vehicles were destroyed in the attack, the latest in rising violence in Afghanistan in the past two years, the bloodiest period since the Taliban were driven from power in 2001.

A Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousuf, told Reuters the attack was carried out by a member of the group, which is fighting against the government and foreign troops. He said the bomber was a man.

Taliban largely rely on suicide attacks and roadside blasts in their campaign.

The militants are most active in southern and eastern areas near the border with Pakistan, but have also carried out attacks in several major cities, including the capital Kabul.

PHOTO CAPTION 

An Afghan policeman carries his weapon in Patrol Base Wilson in the Zhari district after finishing basic police training in this April 24, 2008 file photo.

Reuters