Four would-be suicide bombers were killed as their explosive-laden car went off prematurely in Taliban birthplace Kandahar, south of Afghanistan, in the wee hours of Thursday, provincial police chief said.

"Four suicide bombers were busy in planting explosive devices in a car in south of Kandahar city mid night, but suddenly it exploded killing all the four terrorists," Sardar Mohammad Zazi told Xinhua.

Police this morning found the bodies and the wreckage of their car in a garden outside Kandahar city.

The would-be suicide bombers were planning to carry out a suicide attack in Kandahar city, capital of Kandahar province, Zazi stressed.

Taliban outfit that often conducts suicide attacks and roadside bombings have not made comment.

Kandahar, the former stronghold of Taliban fighters, have been the scene of increasing militancy and violent incidents over the past couple of years.