Roadside bomb kills seven Afghan soldiers

[NNN0LHI]

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KHOST, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A roadside bomb killed seven Afghan soldiers near the border with Pakistan on Wednesday, the latest in a spate of attacks on Afghan security forces.

The soldiers were travelling on a dirt road in the Waza Khaw district of southeastern Paktika province when the bomb blew up their vehicle, provincial governor Akram Khpelwak told reporters.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Taliban, who have vowed to step up their war against the government and foreign troops supporting it, have claimed numerous similar attacks.

Wednesday's attack was the deadliest on Afghan soldiers in many months. About 20 policemen and other security officials have been killed in blasts over the past two weeks.