LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least eight Afghan soldiers and an assailant were killed in a suicide car bombing in the country's southern province of Helmand on Monday, provincial sources said.
File photo: VCG
"One terrorist rammed an explosive-laden car into a security forces' checkpoint in Toor Pul locality of Nad Ali district on Monday morning. The initial information found that eight security force members were killed," a provincial source told Xinhua.
The official who declined to be named noted that the bomber was killed on the spot and two security personnel went missing following the blast.
The targeted checkpoint is manned by the Afghan National Army and the outpost was destroyed by the force of the explosion, he noted.
In the meantime, provincial government spokesman Omar Zwak confirmed the attack, saying "an investigation has been launched into the incident and information would be shared with media as appropriate."
The Afghan security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.
The Taliban militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Helmand province, notorious for poppy growing, is a known Taliban stronghold.
