At least 26 killed in deadly bomb blast in Afghanistan's Lashkar Gah

LASHKAR GAH - At least 26 people were killed and dozens injured after a car bomb exploded outside a bank in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province in Afghanistan on Thursday, international media reported.

Provincial governor spokesman Omar Zwak said that more than 50 were injured, including police and army officials, civilians and staff of the New Kabul Bank branch where the blast occurred.

Victims are taken to hospital following bank blast in #Lashkargah #AFG pic.twitter.com/rfN757VJc1

— 1TVNewsAF (@1TVNewsAF) June 22, 2017

The bomb exploded, which upturned the vehicles, at a time when police and army officials were collecting their salaries.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but insurgent groups, including the Taliban and Islamic State have carried out attacks on banks in the past.

Attacks on Banks

On May 20, five gunmen wearing suicide jackets stormed a bank in southeastern Afghanistan, killing three people and wounding over 30 more.

In 2014, an attack on Kabul Bank claimed ten lives, including five policemen, in Lashkar Gah.