Children among Afghan bombing victims

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A suicide bombing at a bridge work site near Kabul Saturday killed eight people, including three children.

The most recent suicide attack by Afghan militants targeted a bridge being worked on by Italian soldiers, one of whom was among those killed by the explosion, the BBC reported.

Nine other people, included three Italian soldiers, were wounded by ball bearings that were part of the explosive device, Afghan police said.

Afghan militants have been using suicide bombings with increasing frequency, the BBC said, with more than 130 suicide attacks already taken place in Afghanistan this year.

That total marks the highest number in Afghanistan since the Taliban lost control of the region six years ago.

To date, the suicide attacks have been focused primarily on foreign forces serving in Afghanistan, particularly those involved with regional aid projects.