At least seven people have been wounded in two explosions in eastern Afghanistan, police say.

An unidentified bomber blew himself up near a vehicle carrying Afghan troops in Khost province, killing himself and injuring at least three others.

In another blast, four people were hurt when a bomb went off near a vehicle carrying US troops in the same province. The troops were unhurt.

Last week, Nato took charge of the country's eastern provinces.

Afghan officials say about 700 people, mostly civilians, have been killed or wounded in suicide attacks in the country in the past year.

On a single day last month, suicide bombers struck in three different parts of Afghanistan, killing at least 17 people and wounding 25 others. The dead included four Canadian troops.

Afghan officials say they suspect that Taleban and other militants opposed to the US-backed government in Kabul may be importing tactics used by insurgents in Iraq.

Correspondents say the insurgency in Afghanistan continues to deepen, and the pressure on the international community is increasing.

The violence has been most fierce in the south and east of the country.

PHOTO CAPTION

This photo shows a US soldier on patrol in the Andar district of Ghazni province. (AFP)