Suicide attack kills at least 8 in southern Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - At least eight people were killed in a Taliban suicide attack in southern Helmand province on Monday, police said.

The noon attack targeted a gathering of local elders in provincial capital Lashkar Gah's police district 2, Security Director Gulai Khan told Anadolu Agency.

Taliban claimed more than 20 people were killed in the attack, including security personnel.

On Sunday, at least four police personnel were killed and five others wounded in an explosion near a mosque in northeastern Badakhshan province for which the Taliban took responsibility.

Helmand is one of the most volatile provinces in Afghanistan. Thousands of civilians have fled the province in recent months due to growing insecurity.