A roadside bomb killed seven Afghan soldiers near the border with Pakistan on Wednesday, the latest in a spate of attacks on Afghan security forces.
The soldiers were travelling on a dirt road in the Waza Khaw district of southeastern Paktika province when the bomb blew up their vehicle, provincial governor Akram Khpelwak told reporters.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Taliban, who have vowed to step up their war against the government and foreign troops supporting it, have claimed numerous similar attacks.
Wednesday's attack was the deadliest on Afghan soldiers in many months but about 20 policemen and other security officials have been killed in blasts over the past two weeks.
Four policemen were killed late on Tuesday in an ambush in the generally peaceful western province of Herat. Police blamed the Taliban.
Violence has been increasing this month after a traditional winter lull. Last year saw the worst fighting since U.S.-led forces ousted the Taliban in 2001 and many security analysts warn this year could be worse.
Taliban commanders have said thousands of suicide bombers are waiting for orders to strike across the country.
The government and foreign forces say the Taliban are increasingly resorting to suicide and remote-controlled bomb attacks out of desperation.
