Suicide bomber strikes near US base in Afghanistan

KABUL: A suspected suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle detonated Sunday while driving towards Afghanistan's biggest US-run military base, authorities said.

The explosion appeared to have happened prematurely on a road about five minutes' drive from Bagram Air Field, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of the capital Kabul, the interior ministry said.

"Again the enemies of Afghanistan failed to achieve their goal. A suicide bomber with his bomb-filled car detonated before reaching his target," the statement said.

The Taliban claimed credit for the bombing but said it targeted a convoy of "American spies".