The suicide bomb attacks continue in the Middle East war zones.

A woman wearing a body-covering burqa detonated the explosives she had on her near a police patrol in a crowded market place in Afghanistan. The powerful blast killed at least 12 people on Thursday and wounded 27 other, authorities said.

The suicide bomber carried out the attack in a busy market in Dilaram district of Farah province. According to the province’s Gov. Rohul Amin, the attacker was a woman, The Associated Press reported.

However, the attack was promptly claimed by the Taliban, but they said it was a man who carried out the suicide bomb attack. They also released the man’s name - Mullah Khalid.

The explosion killed five policemen and among them was also the district police chief. Seven by-passers were also killed in the blast, Amin confirmed. The list of 27 wounded included 11 policemen and 16 civilians, the Provincial Governor added.

The policemen patrolling in the market spotted the attacker and tried to stop him before he detonated the explosives. However, they intervened too late and the explosion killed them, said Younus Rasoul, another provincial official. He added that, according to his estimations, the death toll was actually higher – 15 dead.

The cases of suicide bomb attackers are growing in frequency, authorities said. In 2007, the Taliban militants launched more than 140 suicide attacks across Afghanistan. Most victims are civilians who happen to be around when the bomb explodes.