Taliban suicide bombs kill 12

The first attack was carried out on foot by a suicide bomber, followed shortly after by a massive blast from a truck filled with explosives. The bombs were detonated in the Sayedabad district in Afghanistan's Wardak province.

"The number of wounded is so high that it can hardly be counted. Lots of people have been wounded and much of the Sayedabad bazaar has been destroyed," Wardak police spokesman Abdul Wali told the news agency AFP.

Taliban militants say they're responsible for the attacks, which occurred near a NATO military base.

"The first bomber detonated himself at the gate of the US base, opening way for the truck bomber," rebel spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said in a text message.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the blasts but added that there were no ISAF fatalities. However, there are claims that two ISAF soldiers were wounded in the attacks.

The NATO base in Sayedabad was attacked in September 2011, wounding at least 70.

NATO troops are set to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, when Afghan forces take on complete responsibility for their country's security.

Suspected US drone attack in Pakistan

Officials in Pakistan say at least four people were killed on Saturday, following a suspected US drone attack in a tribal region near the country's border with Afghanistan.

The strike took place in the region of North Waziristan, an area known to harbor militants.

"Four people were killed and another three were injured in the attack," a security official told the news agency DPA.

"US drones fired four missiles on a compound, killing four militants," a senior security official told AFP.

jr/slk (AFP, Reuters, dpa, AP)