KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, (AP) – A suicide car bomber targeting a NATO convoy killed eight civilians and wounded 22 others Thursday in southern Afghanistan, an official said.

The car bomber blew himself up shortly after a NATO convoy passed near him in Kandahar city, said provincial police chief Sayed Agha Saqib. No NATO troops were wounded in the blast, he said.

Eight civilians were killed in the powerful explosion, which also damaged several shops, Saquib said.

The 22 wounded included two policemen and seven people who were in serious condition, Saqib said.

Taliban militants regularly launch suicide bombings against Afghan and foreign troops in the country but most of the victims in such attacks have been civilians.

The number of suicide attacks spiked in 2007, with the Taliban launching more than 140 suicide missions — the highest number since they were ousted from power by the United States-led invasion of 2001.

More than 8,000 people were killed in insurgency related violence in 2007, according to the United Nations.