Two Afghan army soldiers were killed in two bomb attacks, the country's Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"Two Afghan National Army soldiers were martyred in two improvised explosive device attacks in Panjwai district of southern Kandahar province and Gereshk district of neighboring Helmand province," the ministry said in a statement.

Kandahar and Helmand are notorious for poppy growing and militancy.

The army specialists defused 42 IEDs and roadside mines across the country since early Saturday, the statement noted.

The Taliban home-made IEDs remained a major threat to Afghan army and police.

Earlier on Sunday, nine militants, two women and two children were killed when a truck bomb build by the militants went off prematurely in a house in eastern Logar province, the deputy provincial police chief Abdul Wali Tofan told Xinhua, adding the blast destroyed the building.

In addition, the number of civilians hurt in a suicide bombing in Kandahar province earlier on Sunday, has risen to 10 injured. Earlier reports said only two civilians were wounded in the attack.

The Taliban insurgent group has intensified subversive activities as the country is preparing for third presidential and provincial council general election, slated for April 5.

Up to 11 contenders, including several former ministers and other politicians registered to compete for the country's top slot.