Taliban suicide attack in Afghanistan kills 6

Kabul Aug 23 (IANS) Six people were killed including the attacker and 40 were wounded when the Taliban detonated a vehicle loaded with explosives near a police barrack in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday.

The blast occurred at 11 a.m. near the entrance to the police headquarters in Lashkargah capital of Helmand province a police official was quoted as saying by Efe news.

"The bomber detonated his vehicle near the main entrance of the Police Headquarters which is also used as a parking lot by civilians " said the offical adding that the victims included two women a girl two Army soldiers and the attacker.

The wounded included three soldiers while the remaining were civilians. More than half of the injured were students at a nearby madrasa the police official said.

"An attack was carried out near the Helmand Police Headquarters against the puppet enemy. Three armoured vehicles were destroyed and several soldiers were killed " Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter.

The attack comes after US President Donald Trump on Monday announced an open-ended expansion of its involvement in the Afghan conflict including raising troop deployment.

--IANS
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