LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed seven people and wounded 20 others outside a bank in the capital city of Afghanistan’s Helmand province on Saturday, the governor’s office said on Saturday. The bomber detonated an explosives-packed car next to an Afghan army vehicle as soldiers arrived at a bank in Lashkar Gah to collect their pay, the Helmand governor’s spokesman, Omar Zwak, said. "He killed ten policemen and six civilians," Qatra said, adding that 30 more people, including those belonging to the security forces, were also wounded. No group has so far claimed responsibility, but the resurgent Taliban control vast swathes of the opium-ravaged province and have repeatedly threatened to seize Lashkar Gah. The Taliban, who control vast swathes of the opium-ravaged province and have repeatedly threatened to seize Lashkargah, claimed responsibility for the bombing, calling it revenge for recent US air strikes in the volatile district of Sangin. The attack comes after the US military this week stepped up air strikes in Sangin as fierce fighting with the Taliban raised fears that the key district could fall to the insurgents.
A suicide bomber kills at least seven people outside a bank in Lashkargah.