7 Afghan civilians in separate bomb attacks in east

Seven Afghan civilians are dead following explosions in northern and central Afghanistan.

A suicide bomber on a bicycle detonated his explosives, killing two civilians and wounding five Afghan policemen Tuesday in Balkh province in the north. The Ministry of Interior says a small child was among those killed at a bazaar in Chahar Bolak district.

Five other civilians died when their minibus hit a roadside bomb Tuesday in Wardak province in central Afghanistan. Provincial spokesman Shahidullah Shahid says a 3-year-old child was among those killed in Sayd Abad district.

Insurgents have stepped up their attacks around Afghanistan, targeting police, soldiers and government officials as well as foreign troops with the US-led coalition. They aim to undercut Afghanistan's weak government.

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