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Suicide bomber kills nine in eastern Afghanistan

"Four security personnel and five civilians have been killed and 12 more, including three security personnel, wounded," said Attaullah Khogyani.

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At least nine people were killed and 12 others injured by a suicide bomber Thursday in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, an official said.

The bomber, who was on foot, detonated a device near a local police checkpoint, according to a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province.

"Four security personnel and five civilians have been killed and 12 more, including three security personnel, wounded," said Attaullah Khogyani.

There was at least one child among the fatalities, while three others were among those wounded.

A wave of violence across Afghanistan in recent weeks has claimed the lives of dozens of civilians and security forces. A resolution still seems far off, with the two sides struggling to agree on several key points.

No one took immediate responsibility for the attack, but both the Islamic State affiliate known as Islamic State Khorasan Province and the Taliban operate in Nangarhar province, considered an IS stronghold.

Afghanistan's security forces come under near-daily attacks by both Taliban and IS-affiliated fighters.

Afghan forces have suffered staggering casualties in recent years, even as the Taliban hold peace talks with the US Peace Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. He is currently in the Afghan capital, Kabul, trying to restart stalled peace talks aimed at ending the country's 18-year war and America's longest-running military engagement.

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