Some 12 civilians, mostly local students, were killed and four others wounded in a roadside bomb blast in eastern Paktika province on Thursday, the provincial governor said.

"A civilian vehicle was running on outskirts of Urgon district at midday. The ill-fated vehicle touched off an improvised explosive device, triggering a blast which killed 12 people and injured four others aboard the vehicle," Gov. Elyass Wahdat told Xinhua.

The casualties were shifted to the district's hospital.

Among those killed were seven students of two local Madrasa or seminary schools and five commuters, the governor added.

The killed students, ageing from 12 to 16 years, were travelling to their villages outside of the district.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet but officials frequently blame Taliban militant group for planting the IED along the main roads.

More than 3,490 civilians were killed and over 7,900 others injured in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan last year, according to figures released by the UN mission in the country.

The IED explosions were the third largest cause of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, following ground engagement and suicide attacks. 

source: Xinhua