A car bomb exploded outside a bank in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern Afghanistan province of Helmand on Thursday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 50, Reuters reported. Among those dead were civilians and security forces waiting to collect their salaries.

Helmand police spokesman Salam Afghan said that the bomber had donated his explosives at the gate of the new Kabul Bank branch, reported BBC. Armed attackers have entered the bank and a gun battle is on with security forces, reported Tolo News.

Al Jazeera quoted Omar Zwak, spokesperson for the Helmand governor as saying that the blast took place around 12 noon local time (1.30 pm Indian Standard Time). No group has taken responsibility for the attack so far, though Islamic State and the Taliban have carried out attacks near banks in the past, where security forces, police and government officials collect their pay.

On Sunday, Taliban suicide bombers targeted police headquarters in Gardez city, killing several people and injuring many others. In May, at least three people were killed and many wounded in an attack on a bank in the same city. </s> A car bomb exploded near the Kabul Bank branch in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Thursday.

Victims are taken to hospital following bank blast in #Lashkargah #AFG pic.twitter.com/rfN757VJc1 — 1TVNewsAF (@1TVNewsAF) June 22, 2017

The blast occured at noon in the province's capital of Lashkargah wounding at least 50 people. ​1TV News reports, citing local authirities, that at least 20 people were killed. </s> KABUL—A car bomb killed 34 people in the southern Afghanistan city of Lashkar Gah on Thursday, according to an Afghan official, the latest in a string of attacks in Helmand province where Taliban militants are closing in on the provincial capital.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing, which targeted a branch of the New Kabul Bank, said Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor. The group has carried out attacks... </s> AT-Kabul: Over 20 people were “martyred” and 55 more were injured today after a suicide bomber detonated his car against the provincial branch of the New Kabul Bank in Lashkargah, capital city of Helmand province.

Omar Zwak, spokesman for the governor told Afghanistan Times over 20 people have been “martyred” and 55 others “mostly civilians” were injured in the bombing that took place at 12:00pm.

The bomber tried to get inside the bank compound but was prevented by the security guards and car was detonated in first entrance. Most of the casualties were those who were waiting in cars and parking lot to enter to the bank.

The New Kabul Bank office in Helmand’s capital has so far several times came under attack over the past few years, but the security officials yet to take proper measures to prevent such deadly attacks, a provincial council member told Afghanistan Times. </s> A suicide bomber driving an explosive-packed car targeted the New Kabul Bank branch in Lashkar Gah, said Omar Zwak, a spokesman for Helmand province.

"Both civilians and police are among the victims who had gone to the bank to collect their salaries," said Mohammad Karim Atal, the head of the local provincial council.

About 38 others were injured during the blast and were hospitalized, Atal said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Helmand province has been the site of intense conflict between the Taliban and Afghan and NATO security forces. Thousands of civilians and soldiers have died in recent years. </s> Story highlights Taliban claim responsibility for attack

Civilians and police among victims of suicide car bombing

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) At least 30 people were killed Thursday in a car bomb attack outside a bank in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, officials said.

In a statement to journalists, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said the group was behind the attack.

A suicide bomber driving an explosive-packed car targeted the New Kabul Bank branch in Lashkar Gah, said Omar Zwak, a spokesman for Helmand province.

"Both civilians and police are among the victims who had gone to the bank to collect their salaries," said Mohammad Karim Atal, the head of the local provincial council.

About 60 others were injured during the blast and were hospitalized, Zwak said. </s> KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — A local police chief in Afghanistan says a suicide car bombing targeted Afghan soldiers lining up outside a bank in southern Helmand province, killing at least 15 people.

Provincial police chief Gen. Agha Noor Kentoz says the attacker struck on Thursday in Lashkargah, the provincial capital. He says at least a dozen people were wounded in the explosion outside a Kabul Bank branch.

People likely had gathered there to collect salaries ahead of the upcoming holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Haji Moladad Tobagar, health director in Lashkargah told The Associated Press that the hospital received 25 bodies after the attack, as well as 60 wounded.

He says he fears an even higher casualty toll as more victims were being brought in. The discrepancies in the casualty tolls could not immediately be reconciled. </s> A suicide bomber kills seven people and wounds 20 others outside a bank in the capital city of Afghanistan's Helmand province on February 11, 2017. A suicide bomber killed seven people and wounded 20 others outside a bank in the capital city of Afghanistan's Helmand province today, the governor's office said.

Start the conversation, or Read more at The Daily Star. </s> KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — An official says 12 people have been killed and 40 others wounded in a car bombing outside a sports stadium in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

Aminullah Abed, the chief of the province's public health department, said the 12 killed and 40 wounded were received at a hospital in the province's capital, Lashkar Gah, on Friday.

The explosion occurred after celebrations over the Afghan new year were winding down and revelers were on their way home, he added.

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A car bomb outside a New Kabul Bank branch in Lashkargah, Helmand Province, kills at least 20 people. The Taliban claims responsibility.