KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Eight civilians and two police officers are dead after a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in a crowded market in southern Afghanistan.

Helmand Province police chief Asadullah Sherzad said Monday the bomber targeted a police vehicle in the market.

Sherzad said 25 civilians and two police were also hurt in the attack and several shops were destroyed.

Taliban and other militant suicide bombers frequently target Afghan and international military forces in their suicide attacks, but many more Afghan civilians typically die in the attacks than do government officials or military personnel.