Afghan security force members stands on military vehicles at the site of an attack in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 22, 2017. At least 26 Afghans were killed and 59 others wounded when an explosion rocked a local bank office in Lashkar Gah city, capital of southern province of Helmand on Thursday, a local source said. (Xinhua/Abduz Aziz Safdari)
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, June 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 26 Afghans were killed and 59 others wounded when an explosion rocked a local bank office in Lashkar Gah city, capital of southern province of Helmand on Thursday, a local source said.
"The latest information found that 26 people died and 59 others wounded after a suicide car bombing struck Kabul Bank branch in Lashkar Gah city," provincial government spokesman, Omar Zwak, told Xinhua.
Among other locals were government employees and army soldiers waiting for access to enter the building and receive their wages before the attack, he said.
The massive blast, which occurred roughly at 12:00 p.m. local time, also damaged several vehicles and nearby buildings.
Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures and several warning shots were also fired by police.
The Thursday's attack was the third terror attack on the same branch over the past four years.
Earlier this year, seven civilians and four army soldiers were killed and 41 people wounded after a suicide car bomb hit the same building on February 11.
The incident came as Afghans prepare for upcoming Eid festival which marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslims' holy fasting month.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
The province, notorious for poppy growing, is a known Taliban stronghold.
