ASADABAD: Six civilians were killed by a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, a local official said, the latest innocent victims to die despite a Taliban call to limit their deaths.

“A roadside bomb hit a civilian car in Alingar district of Laghman province, killing six people including one woman,” said Laghman provincial spokesman Faizanullah Patan.

The bombing, which took place at about 10am (0530 GMT), was confirmed by interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi in Kabul, who said that four civilians had been killed.

Laghman province is located in volatile eastern Afghanistan towards the border with Pakistan, where insurgents have hideouts.

It has long been troubled by insurgents, particularly by the Hezb-e-Islami faction led by former prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.