In the last three weeks more than 100 people including many bystanders have died in six large blasts [AFP]

A car bomb has exploded in southern Afghanistan, injuring at least 24 people, including police and intelligence officers.

The car exploded in the main market in the border town of Spin Boldak, the officer to the governor of Kandahar province told Al Jazeera on Thursday.

"Sixteen civilians have been injured. Six intelligence personnel have been injured, two border police have been injured," said Abdul Razaq, a senior border police official.

"The bomber was being chased by the intelligence department. He detonated in the middle of the town."

In the last three weeks, more than 100 people including many bystanders have died in six large blasts.

Violence across Afghanistan in 2010 reached its worst levels since the Taliban was toppled by US-backed Afghan forces in 2001.

The Afghan police and army are due to take responsibility for security starting from 2014, allowing the bulk of international troops to withdraw. There are currently around 140,000 international military personnel in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban.

Afghan officials have accused NATO troops in recent days of causing mass civilian casualties in operations - a highly sensitive subject in the fight to win hearts and minds while defeating the Taliban.