Suicide bomber kills four Afghan soldiers

KABUL, Oct 27 (Reuters) A suicide bomber today killed four Afghan soldiers outside a US military base in Afghanistan's eastern province of Paktika, US official said.

''A man approached the front gate of Forward Operating Base in Bermel ... he detonated himself killing four Afghan security forces and wounding four other Afghan soldiers and one civilian'', said Major Christine Nelson-Chung, a US spokeswoman.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Taliban insurgents often use suicide attacks as part of their campaign against the Afghan government and its foreign backers.

Afghanistan has seen a sharp rise in violence in the past two years with almost daily incidents between Afghan backed international forces and Taliban militants.

More than 7,000 people have lost their lives during that time.

Reuters SG GC1530