A suicide car bomber has attacked an Afghan army vehicle in southern Afghanistan, killing five civilians and leaving 36 others injured.

The blast also injured four Afghan army soldiers in the Maywand district of Kandahar province, local government spokesman Dawkhan Menapal said.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the attack.

Violence has intensified in the country as most international troops prepare to withdraw at the end of the year.

Also today, Nato said one of its service members died as a result of a non-battle related injury in the country's north. No other details were available.

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