A suicide attack hit a NATO patrol in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing three coalition service members, the international military force said, while Afghan officials added that a civilian was also killed in the bombing.

The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility for the assault in Kunar province, an eastern stronghold of the insurgency that lies along the volatile border with Pakistan where militants have hideouts.

The attack emphasized the insurgency's continued ability to wreak violence despite fierce efforts by the Afghan government and international forces to wipe out their leadership.

Two attackers wearing suicide vests detonated their explosives as a NATO foot patrol passed by the headquarters of the provincial government in Kunar, provincial police chief Ewas Mohammad Naziri said.

NATO confirmed that three of its service members were killed in a suicide attack, but did not give any more details, including the nationalities of the troops who were killed.