An Afghan bomb disposal expert was captured on camera risking his life as he defused an explosive device after a failed suicide attack.

Dressed head to foot in protective gear, the Afghan soldier is seen approaching the would-be suicide attacker who lies on the floor, his hand and foot tied.

The bomber had a suicide vest strapped to his body and was captured before detonating it in the eastern Jalalabad province.

He was reportedly held as he approached the National Directorate of Security office, disguised in military uniform.

Security forces tied him up to prevent the attacker from detonating the bomb, and drove him away after his vest was defused.

The sensational scene, reminiscent of the Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker, was snapped as casualties among local security forces continue to mount, after the NATO-led coalition handed over responsibility for combat operations in June.

Almost 300 Afghan policemen have been killed and more than 600 wounded in the last month, according to the Interior Ministry.

More than 1,000 militants have been killed or arrested in the same period of time, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqq said.

According to figures from the Associated Press, 2013 is likely to be one of the bloodiest years in Afghanistan since war erupted in the country twelve years ago.

Afghan Hurt Locker
A member of the Afghan bomb disposal unit approaches a suicide attacker Reuters
suicide vest
The bomber had a suicide vest strapped to his body and was captured before detonating it. Reuters
Suicide bomber Afghanistan
Afghan National Army soldiers carry the would-be suicide attacker after his vest was defused. Reuters
Afghanistan suicide attack
The suicide attacker lies on the ground. Reuters
Afghanistan