The bomber blew himself up in front of the police unit's base in the eastern province of Khost. — File photo

KHOST: The commander of a provincial Afghan police rapid reaction force was killed on Saturday in a suicide attack that also claimed another officer's life and wounded 23 people, police said.

The bomber blew himself up in front of the police unit's base in the eastern province of Khost on Saturday morning, Khost deputy police chief, Mohammad Yahqoob Mandozai, told AFP.

“The commander of the unit, Colonel Zaher, along with one policeman has been killed and 23 others, the majority of them civilians, have been injured,” Mandozai said.

“The suicide attacker who was waiting outside the base detonated himself as the vehicle carrying the police commander exited the base.”