KABUL, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - Twelve civilians were killed when their car hit a landmine in Afghanistan's central Oruzgan province, a local emergency officer said on Saturday.

The accident occurred near the provincial capital of Tarin Kowt on Friday night, the spokesman said. The Toyota Land Cruiser was carrying 14 people when tha blast occurred, killing 12 and wounding two, he said, adding the landmine was laid by Taliban militants.

Violence has surged in Afghanistan in recent months, with the radical Islamic Taliban group, toppled in a 2001 U.S.-led campaign, staging regular attacks on provincial government officials, police and civilians.

In early August, a tractor with a trailer carrying guests to a wedding hit a landmine, killing 20 and injuring five others.