Afghan security force members arrive at the site of an attack in Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 22, 2017. At least 15 Afghans were killed and some 50 others wounded when an explosion and ensuing gun fire 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 15 Afghans were killed and some 50 others wounded when an explosion and ensuing gun fire rocked a local bank office in Lashkar Gah city, capital of southern province of Helmand on Thursday, a local source said.
"The initial information found that about 15 people died and over 50 others wounded after a suicide car bombing and gun firing struck Kabul Bank branch at around midday in Lashkar Gah city," a provincial government spokesman, Omar Zwak, told Xinhua.
Among other locals were members of local security forces waiting for access to enter the building and receive their wages before the attack, he said.
"The injured were shifted to nearby hospital and the number of casualties was likely to rise," the source added.
Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
The province, notorious for poppy growing, is a known Taliban stronghold.
