The three were killed when a suicide bomber detonated explosives in Khost province, said Arif Pashton, a provincial council member.

There were conflicting reports about whether a child was among the dead.

Two policemen and a child were killed, said Hedayetullah Hamidi, the acting chief at Khost hospital.

He said 23 other people were wounded.

But Pashton said all three killed were police officials.

Conflicting casualty reports are not uncommon in the aftermath of an attack.

Among the dead, according to Pashton, is the commander of Khost's quick reaction police force -- a special operations unit.

Pashton identified the commander as Col. Zaher.